The attendance policy adopted at the beginning of this year is strikingly effective at reducing the numbers of unexcused absences at Palo Alto High School, according to preliminary reports from the Paly administration.

The results? Last year, there had been 387 cuts in the first several weeks of school. This year there have only been 54.

Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson provided The Paly Voice with these numbers after tallying the unexcused absences that been recorded this year up until Thursday, Sept. 24, as well as the number of unexcused absences that had been recorded until a comparable date last year.

“I’m encouraged by the initial results I’ve seen,” Berkson said.

Some teachers said that fewer students are cutting their classes this year.

“I have particularly noticed a reduction in the number of cuts in my senior class,” said history teacher Hillary McDaniel. “However, I don’t know if it’s a function of the beginning of the year, of the students I have, or the new attendance policy.”

Freshman English teacher Denise Shaw finds that the new attendance policy makes it easier for her to follow up with students on unexcused absences.

“It’s really helpful that the office sends down the names of people who have cut,” Shaw said.