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Electronic Registration Highlights True Truancy Troubles
Added: (Mon Feb 14 2005)
We may only just be beginning to see accurate truancy figures in England according to Radun Controls, who produce the Sentinel Electronic Registration System. Recent figures criticise Government spending of £885m for not managing to decrease the number of students skipping school. However, the producers of the card-based system suggest the rise in the accuracy of attendance data from e-registration is finally highlighting the real problem and allowing schools to begin to reduce truancy.
‘Using Electronic Registration puts the onus of registration on the student, and each successful swipe is recorded automatically in the system database for a detailed audit of student attendance. Human error is therefore minimised’ says Roger Watson, General Manager of Radun Controls.
E-registration allows schools to realise the extent of their truancy issues. With this data on hand they can then set about eliminating the genuine problem and tackle the hard core of persistent truants.
Helston Community College experienced a similar scenario after installing Sentinel Electronic Registration. The initial data confirmed the problems suspected by the college and provided them with accurate information about the level of the issue.
‘When we first introduced the Sentinel swipe card system, the accuracy and detail of the data enabled us to pinpoint attendance issues in our school,’ said Patricia Harley, College Administrator. ‘We have analysed this data and have put systems and procedures in place to reduce the levels of truancy. As a consequence, our overall attendance rate continues to rise and is now above the national average. Our Education Welfare Officer is now provided with reliable data, which can be used to enforce attendance, using litigation if necessary. ’
In conclusion, although the national truancy rate is the same as 1997 are we only just beginning to see the true picture? As more and more schools begin to utilise attendance tools we may finally begin to see some progress in the fight against truancy.
Notes to Editors:
Helston Community College has 121 Card Reading Points with 1700 pupils ages 11 – 18.
The Sentinel System went ‘live’ at Helston Community College in January 2003.
Sentinel is an Electronic Registration and Access Control system for all schools and colleges. It is a market leader and has been established since 1992