The instructional school day at the elementary begins at 8:20. If a student is not in his/her classroom at 8:20 they are considered tardy.
- When a student is late to enter the classroom, s/he misses out on valuable instruction.
- Time in instruction is highly correlated to academic achievement.
- Once a teacher has begun a lesson, any interruption to the instructional process detracts from the education for every child in the classroom.
- Students who are chronically late for school over an extended time miss significant instruction which can potentially result in achievement problems throughout their schooling.
- Students who develop patterns of tardiness may have difficulty with attendance in the work force - attendance problems are associated with lack of preparation to enter work force.
- may receive social pressure by peers that can lower their self-esteem.
