<p>“Could you please name the state schools that dock their students 3 letter grades for missing class? I’m sure that would be helpful for all college applicants.”</p>
<p>The only reason I won’t do that is that it would indicate too much about me. I do suggest, however, that you ask students who are attending colleges about whether the colleges include attendance as part of their grades.</p>
<p>When I taught at a 2nd/3rd tier public institution, we were supposed to give students “Fs” if they missed or were late to 5 classes without an excused absence. </p>
<p>The same was true at another 2nd tier public institution in this same large state, where I took classes for fun. </p>
<p>The rules were in place for the protection of the students, who on the whole were not as motivated as are students at places like HPYS, and also don’t have the analytical, reading skills that HPYS have. For instance students at HPYS may skip classes, but do the reading on their own, and be able to ace the tests, too, despite not going to classes.</p>
<p>At the lower tier schools, professors may have to go over the reading material in depth because either the students haven’t bothered to read it (and won’t read it before the exam) or the students lack the verbal skills to fully comprehend the material unless it is explained to them in class. Consequently, students who skip are not likely to be able to pass the tests.</p>
<p>There’s a big difference in reading comprehension between students who have, for instance 750 v scores and students whose scores are 500. The latter need to have reading assignments explained to them so they can fully understand the reading. Unless the material is exceptionally difficult, that’s not the case with the higher scoring students, who may not be able to ace the exams without going to class, but probably can pass reading-based exams despite missing classes.</p>