Boyer-Baker, Suzanne M.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine if the implementation of a new annualdiscretionary leave policy would improve full-time certificated teacher absenteeism ratesin a large suburban school district in the Kansas City metropolitan area. This studyexamined full-time, certificated teacher absences during the 2006-07 school year whenthe new annual discretionary leave policy was implemented, compared to the 2005-06school year when the former sick/personal leave policy was in effect. The collection ofteacher absenteeism data focused on absences throughout the week, as well as the abilityof the new annual discretionary leave policy to curb teacher absences on Mondays andFridays. Data acquired from the school district indicated that the school districtexperienced its greatest need for substitute teachers on these two days. A t test forindependent variables was conducted to analyze the data.The findings for this study of a large suburban school district in Missouriindicated there was a statistically significant negative effect on the full-time, certificatedteacher absenteeism rates in the district between 2005-06 and 2006-07. This included allresearch hypotheses of teacher absenteeism for Mondays through Fridays, as well asMondays and Fridays, in elementary, middle, or high school after implementation of theannual discretionary leave policy.