80%
When I see a student struggling with attendance or having "life" challenges, I bring up the "80%" rule. Many have different variations of the "80%" rule. To me, success is 80% showing up - whether it is at work, classroom, etc. and the other 20% is a combination of hard work, attitude and luck. We all have bad days but by showing up, you say that you are not a quitter... by showing up, you are stating that you are ready to handle whatever challenges face you. I go into this during the first day of class as it will always apply to the student's life journey in the future.
~Louis
Hi Elizabeth,
I agree. You need to be mindful who and especially how this is communicated to students. You know your rapport with each student. You cannot say the same thing to each student the same way. It is always not what you say, but how you say it.
Patricia
I think that is an excellent point to bring up with students who are having an issue with their attendance. Possibly on an individual basis when you know that there are certain personalities in your class.
However, I also believe that you have to be careful who you say that to. I can think of a few students who would take that statement and see the other side of it (wow, so I can miss 20% of my classes?) and use it as a license to miss.
That's a good rule of thumb. It makes students accountable while allowing for the inevitable "curve-balls" that life throws at us. It forces students to save those "sick-days" for when circumstances arise that are beyond their control yet still retain success in the class.
