INTRODUCTION
The attendance system is based around tracking student absences, since there should be fewer of them than presences. An attendance record is stored for a student only when they are absent (or late) from school. No record is stored when they are present. This is the easiest approach in terms of record entry. This system is also designed to accomodate the problems of K-12 schools that may have different attendance periods per day for different grades. ( K-6 may have 2 attendance periods per day (Morning and Afternoon) while 7-12 have 6 periods per day, that correspond to teaching periods ). Background of the Problem
The success of the school in carrying out its primary charge of educating and socializing students is contingent on students attending school regularly. In recognition of the importance of regular school attendance to quality education, attendance becomes a priority goal (At-Risk Youth in Crisis Handbook, 1993). Educators have long emphasized the importance of class attendance. Only in the classroom may the student hear the teacher's presentation, participate in class discussions, and enjoy the benefits of spontaneous interactions between the students and teacher. It comes as no surprise that students with high absence rates earn lower grades than students with better attendance (Redick & Nicoll 1990). Fleming and Zafirau found that over three-fourths of school failure rates were explained by the attendance rate (Fleming & Zafirau 1982). Student absenteeism has been a problem for years. State departments of education and school boards across the country have developed policies, procedures, and programs aimed primarily with the objective of reducing and preventing 2 student absenteeism. To improve achievement, many districts have adopted policies calling for academic penalties for student absence (Redick & Nicoll 1990). A survey of 547 Iowa