What is Chronic Absenteeism?
I recently read that in public schools - Chronic absenteeism occurs when a student misses 10% or more of the school year—whether the absences are excused or unexcused. This got me thinking about teammates, training partners and students throughout the years of training and teaching on the mats at various academies and training centers and how important it is stay consistent and goal oriented when making a commitment to study Jiu Jitsu and Martial Arts, in addition to living a fitness lifestyle. This got me thinking…
At Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu, we care deeply about the success and well-being of every student, both on and off the mats. We understand that life happens—sickness, family obligations, and other factors—but we want to emphasize how important it is to minimize absenteeism, especially given the far-reaching effects it can have on one’s development, (especially with our younger members). At T7JJ we encourage participants and their family members to prioritize consistent attendance and training, while being mindful of the broader effects of missing the opportunity to learn and train on a regular basis.
Why Does Attendance Matter?
The research is clear: chronic absenteeism can have serious short-term and long-term consequences, both academically and socially. Here’s why consistent attendance is so important:
Academic Challenges
- Missing lessons means missing key techniques and skills that are crucial for progress.
- It can lead to a gap in knowledge, making it harder to catch up and impacting overall performance.
Social-Emotional Impact
- Absenteeism can make students feel disconnected from their peers and from the academy community.
- Students who miss frequent training sessions may struggle with feelings of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), isolation or falling behind, which can impact their performance on the mats, their self-esteem and their motivation to continue training.
Long-Term Educational Impact
- There is a higher risk that students who continuously miss training sessions will fall behind, eventually disengage and quit.
- Absenteeism makes it harder for students to stay current, keep their skills up and transition into learning new techniques.
Behavioral Concerns
- Missing class time disrupts the development of routine, focus, and discipline.
- Students may become more prone to off-track behaviors and struggle with maintaining self-control and discipline.
Family and Community Implications
- Families may experience additional stress when managing absences (keep in mind you paid for this), trying to catch up on missed classes and technique acquisition can be tedious, so the student can remain competitive and continue advancing towards their next belt level.
- Instructors also face challenges when trying to balance the needs of students who are behind, which can affect the entire class.
The Impact on Instructors and the Group
When a student misses class, instructors often need to devote extra time to help them catch up on missed material. This not only slows down their individual progress, but it can also affect the class dynamics, as the instructor must split focus to bring one student up to speed. This can create delays in skill development and affect the overall flow of training for all students.
What We’re Asking of You
We’re not asking you to send sick children to training or come in to train when you are sick. We understand that health and well-being come first. What we are asking is that you prioritize consistent attendance whenever possible. If a student misses class, it’s crucial to recognize the ripple effect this has—not just on their own progress, but also on their teammates and the overall class experience.
As a family, we encourage you to assess your schedule, plan ahead, making your or your child’s training a priority and recognize the challenges that come with missing significant amounts of class time. Every absence, takes away from a student's growth and can make it more difficult for them to succeed in the long run. I encourage to think on this as you progress through your journey.
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring that the T7JJ Team of AWESOME Students both young and (lol) old, have the best possible chance for success. We are all in this together, and your commitment to regular attendance helps ensure the success of every student at Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu.