Equity in Policy: Unraveling Freshman Course Credit and Unexcused Absences

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Policy Adoption and Implementation in School Districts (Table 34)

Abstract

This policy analysis investigates the implementation of A.C.A. 6-18-222 in Arkansas, focusing on unexcused absences and their impact on freshman course credit. Using student-level data from the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years (N=65,651), the study reveals wide variations in policy adoption across districts. Multivariate logistic regressions indicate that Free and Reduced Lunch-eligible students are more likely to fail a course after reaching the district's unexcused absence threshold. Moreover, once students reach this threshold, they face a higher risk of failure in core courses compared to non-core courses. This research sheds light on the local policy landscape and its implications for student academic outcomes, contributing to equity in education.

Authors

• Sarah Morris, University of Arkansas

• Sarah C. McKenzie, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

• Miranda Vernon, University of Arkansas