that there is a direct correlation to absence rate and academic performance. In reflecting on my very best students over the years, they never have high numbers of absences. I have some good students with a high number of absences (10-15) and I'm sure there are exceptions out there, nevertheless the top are committed and that of course is one of the qualities that puts them in that position.
In agreement with a teacher posting previously the impact of a week or so out of school varies individually. It tends to be much harder on marginal students, often throwing them into a month or so recovery period. I've had kids go and return with relative ease and I've had kids go and spiral downward the rest of the year.
As a lower elementary teacher, I find the notion that attendance in the early years of education is less important than in the later years a serious oversight. The parents in our school with this attitude typically have students with a much weaker foundation than those who realize the importance of education at the earliest levels. Many of my struggling students have a history of poor attendance. If there were validity to this notion it would be indicative of a poor educational system. The work of the lower grades should be every bit as important as any other level of education.
From my personal standpoint, removed from being a teacher, I feel that commitment is among the most important qualities a person can have. From a child I was instilled with the idea that commitments must be honored for the good of the others involved and your own personal benefit as well. For my family, all vacations would be scheduled around our commitments, both adult commitments to work and children's commitment to school and extracurricular activities. I think it would truly be a rare occurrence that a vacation could not be scheduled within the 12-14 weeks each year that children are not in school. If that occurred I would postpone until we could work around our commitments. Only in the event that this absolutely would not be possible would I consider doing otherwise.
Switching back to my teacher perspective, we have families that once in the five years of elementary take a vacation on school time and that's not too big a deal. Then we have family's that go twice a year every year for 10-15 days. In my opinion that reflects a poor attitude toward the work of the child.
With all that said, it is not my intention to get any of the previous posters upset. I am stating my opinion and it is directed at no one in particular. I'm sure there are valid reasons to contradict my line of thought.
To bottom line the issue, most of the time a student with 15-20 absences will be a marginal student. Under 10 absences is good. My very best students typically will have 5 or less absences. Occassionally there have been exceptions. I have never had a good student with 20 absences.