Factors influencing absenteeism in a selected Atlanta high school, 1987

The purpose of this study is to examine the attendance patterns of members of the sophomore class at Booker T. Washington High School during the first forty-five days of the semester and compare them to the second forty-five days of the semester in regards to age, sex, grade point average, discipline problems and reasons or absenteeism. The school term is divided into two forty-five day attendance periods. At the high school level one of the most critical years of attendance is the sophomore year. The majority of the students in the sophomore class reach the age of 16 which is the age in the State of Georgia where compulsory school attendance laws are no longer enforced. This is also the time of greater self-awareness of the student and his attention is easily focused on human sexuality, part-time employment, semi-independence, courtship, obtaining driving license, drugs and alcohol