2 in 3 teens worry about how sick days may impact grades

By Sharin Hussain via SWNS

Two in three parents say their teens are worried about sick days impacting their grades, according to a new study.

American researchers found that one in five parents consider if their child needs a mental health day and one in four say attendance policies are challenging for kids with medical conditions.

Sarah Clark, of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health said: “In some cases, the decision to keep kids home from school is clear, such as if the child is vomiting or has a high fever.

“But parents often have to guess at whether their child’s report of ‘not feeling well’ represents a good reason to miss school.”

The study found that many parents struggle deciding whether their middle or high school aged child should stay home from school if they don’t feel well.

Parents have to consider how their teen is behaving due to symptoms and if they can get through a school day and the risk that they’re contagious.

The team studied 1,300 responses from parents of children ages 11 to 18 surveyed in February 2024.

More than 50 percent of parents said they’re more likely to keep kids home just to be safe in situations where it’s unclear how sick their child is.

A quarter of parents would send their child to school and hope for the best while less than a fifth would let their child decide.

Clark recommends parents ask more questions to learn about their child’s request to stay home.

She suggests that If it’s on the day of a test it may reflect their lack of preparation or anxiety about performing well.

Just under one in five parents (19 percent) say they’re open to allowing a child to take a mental health day.

The team adds that some face to face interactions may trigger mental health issues, such as a breakup, or falling out with friends.

She added: “It’s understandable that students may fear facing peers in uncomfortable social situations, but they can’t miss school every time they expect an unpleasant interaction.

“Facing discomfort is a natural part of life, and parents play an important role in helping kids to learn how to navigate these challenges in order to build resilience and develop healthy strategies for handling social stressors.”

A mental health day could help their child plan on how to handle interactions, practice strategies to stay calm and ease anxiety, and find the right support in school.

Diagnosed teens of depression or anxiety may skip school to sustain their well-being and parents should consult with their child’s mental health provider for guidance.

Most schools have an attendance policy and the majority of parents think the amount and timeframe for making up missed schoolwork is reasonable.

Most parents add that children with chronic medical conditions who miss school due to medical visits have a challenge with school policy.

Clark concludes: “Parents agreed that attendance policies are important to preventing truancy or excessive absenteeism linked to poor school performance.

“However, parents of children with health issues that require travelling to regular appointments and even hospitalizations may need to have conversations with school administrators and teachers about the likelihood of health related absences.

“These families may need to enlist the child’s healthcare providers for support in requesting school flexibility in completing assignments at home or with additional time.”