Closing the Gap Action Plan: Attendance

The Attendance All Star group that targeted students with 18 or more excused or unexcused absences was a success this year, improving 57% of participants' attendance. The group offered support to 2-5 students who needed an ongoing intervention that helped teach personal responsibility and the importance of coming to school.. Students enjoyed the monthly meetings to celebrate successes and learn about various actions they could take to improve attendance. At the elementary level, parent communication is equally as important. Students who did not meet their goal faced challenges such as illness and/or transportation difficulties. The attendance committee met monthly to review attendance data and reach out to parents as attendance data showed the need. The principal, assistant principal, school social worker, school psychologist, school data manager and school counselor made up the attendance team who reviewed all student attendance data on a regular basis.

Goal: By June 1, 2018 2-5 grade students identified as having 18 or more absences during the 16-17 school year will participate in Attendance All Stars (daily check ins and monthly meetings) and will increase attendance by at least 5%.

Target Group: 2-5 Grade Students with 18+ absences

Data Used to Identify Students: Powerschool Attendance Data

School Counselor(s): Katie Carroll

ASCA Domain, Mindsets & Behaviors Standard(s): B-SMS 1. Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility,M 3. Sense of belonging in the school environment

Type of Activities to be Delivered in What Manner?: Small Group Monthly Meetings Parent phonecalls as needed Student Services Attendance Meetings Monthly Daily student check in

Process Data (Number of students affected): 14

Perception Data (Surveys or assessments used): 14/14 students identified at least three reasons school attendance was important. 12/14 students identified at least 2 barriers to coming to school. 12/14 students reported that the small group helped support them with their school attendance.

Outcome Data (Achievement, attendance, and/or behavior data): 8 out of 14 (57%) students met their goal of improving attendance by 5%.

Implications: The program goal specified both excused and unexcused absences. Of our target group students who did not meet their goal 2 students faced transportation challenges in getting to school. 2 students faced illness and brought in letters from parents. This is an improvement from last year. The group is helping students to understand the importance of bringing in excuses from home when they are ill.

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