PowerSchool (PWSC) Status Update summary

National attendance trends and local impact

• Chronic absenteeism rose nationally from 15% in 2018 to 28% in 2022, with a slight improvement to 26% recently.

• Average daily attendance dropped from 93.4% to 90%, representing a significant increase in student non-attendance.

• These trends mirrored local experiences, with operational and academic challenges due to inconsistent student presence.

• Teachers faced difficulties maintaining lesson continuity and catching up absent students.

• Administrative staff spent increased time on attendance processes, impacting other duties.

Addressing absenteeism: Strategies and interventions

• Efforts focused on creating positive, welcoming school environments to encourage attendance.

• Principals were given autonomy to implement unique engagement strategies, such as school-wide events and PBIS.

• Parent engagement was prioritized through proactive communication, home visits, and supportive, non-punitive messaging.

• Family interventionists were hired to support growing Hispanic and Haitian Creole populations, improving communication and trust.

• Attendance letters were revised to emphasize support and provide informative statistics rather than punitive warnings.

Measurable outcomes and ongoing improvements

• A study with Johns Hopkins found statistically significant increases in attendance and decreases in chronic absenteeism in schools using the intervention tool.

• Improvements in attendance correlated with better school culture, fewer discipline referrals, and rising test scores, especially at elementary levels.

• Elementary schools now report daily attendance rates at or above 95%, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

• Chronic absenteeism at elementary schools dropped to as low as 1%.

• The district is seeking grants to expand in-school mental health services, addressing another key barrier to attendance.