Goals for the Attendance Plan

1. A school's response for this section should be in SMART format for improving attendance for each category reported in the data tables.
• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic/Rewarding
• Timely
2. Address early grades at your school level (K & 1, 6th Grade, 9th Grade). Analyze school-wide data to determine needs at grade levels and times of year when challenges occur more often.

School attendance data are provided reporting percent of students with satisfactory attendance, at-risk attendance, chronic absenteeism, and severe chronic absenteeism. The two-year trend allows for comparison of attendance over time and an indication of how strategies implemented to improve attendance are working.

Overall chronic absence in 2017/18 was 40.55% (25.48% chronic, 15.07% severe chronic).  Our goal is to reduce overall chronic absence by 10% in all grade levels (about 120 students). 

Tier 1 Strategies for Attendance

Tier 1 Strategies for Attendance - Address all five core ingredients. Tier 1 is aimed at 100% of students, parents, school staff, and community stakeholders. This is where you cast a wide net. Strategies are general to reach the largest audiences and include all employees and stakeholders.

Tiered plans will include strategies and interventions for the 5 core ingredients.

• Monitor Data
• Engage Students and Families
• Recognize Good and Improved Attendance
• Provide Personalized Outreach
• Remove Barriers

Monitor Data: ​

• All teachers were required to complete the brainshark training: RECORDING STUDENT ATTENDANCE 2018/19 at the high school level (9-12).  Teachers were required to submit the certificate for the successful completion of the training. 
• The Attendance Clerk and an administrator monitors the attendance taking procedures weekly. 
• At the end of each month, the IMT provides a report for current school year attendance categories to the administrative team to monitor improvement and steer the direction of attendance initiatives. 

• School staff is encouraged to reach out to parents by phone or email to remind parents about the importance of daily attendance. 
• The Principal provides monthly updates via ParentLink and PTSA meetings regarding Average Daily Attendance and Chronic Absenteeisim categories, celebrating the students that are attending 95% or more. 
• Front office staff meets quarterly to discuss customer service responsibilities and adapt procedures for ensuring a welcoming environment when visitors enter the front office (students, parents, guest, district staff). 
• Messages on the school's website will be positive and supportive. 
• The Attendance Phone Line is checked and cleared daily by the Attendance Clerk. 

• Students are provided with opportunities to participate in District-wide Attendance recognition events. 
• Quarterly certificates in recognition of perfect attendance are combined with Honor Roll Assemblies. 

• New Student Orientation is conducted for incoming students.  Families are introduced to coaches and teams' sponsors, tour the school, and learn about the importance of regular attendance for their child's academic success through the end of their senior year. 
• Information about chronic absence is integrated into parent programs and communications throughout the school year. 

• The school provides free breakfast for all students, every school day. 
• A bike rack enclosed in a locked gate is available for students that arrive by bicycle.  The rack is locked after school begins and is unlocked and monitored by staff after school. 
• Parent nights are conducted throughout the year to inform parents about services, programs and district polices. 

Tier 2 Strategies and Interventions to Improve Attendance

Tier 2 Strategies and Interventions to Improve Attendance - Address all five core ingredients. Tier 2 identifies students using early warning indicators to make connections with students and families at the onset of the school year or emergence of patterns of non-attendance. Early warning indicators include prior year chronic absenteeism, 3 or more absences in the first 4 weeks of enrollment, more than 10% of school days absent in any time period from the beginning of enrollment.

- Tier 2 represents between 10-20% of students at all schools in Broward County. This is true at individual schools and across the District.

- Chronic Absenteeism: Absent for 10% or more school days. These absences include excused, unexcused, and suspensions as days of instruction missed.

Tiered plans will include strategies and interventions for the 5 core ingredients.

• Monitor Data
• Engage Students and Families
• Recognize Good and Improved Attendance
• Provide Personalized Outreach
• Remove Barriers

Monitor Data: 

• Administrators are provided with the non-attendance report each week.  Students at-risk are identified and monitored. 
• Teachers monitor daily attendance and consult with support staff for assistance in redirrecting absenteeism behavior. 
• Guidance Counselors monitor attendance to identify students that may need services. 

• Guidance Counselors reach out by phone to speak with parents of chronically absent students to identity if any support is needed for the family. 
• If needed, parents and student will work with the Guidance Counselor or School Social Worker to develop a personalized "Student Success Plan for Attendance" to make sure the child doesn't miss too many days and get back on track with good attendance.  There is a correlation between good attendance and good academic performance. 
• Staff assist in identifying families in need of services (food, clothing, literacy programs, transportation).

• We work with students and families to set attendance goals and time frames that are attainable to help improve attendance for at-risk or chronically absent students.
• Recognize these students routinely for good and imporved attendance.  

• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in our school includes teaching the value of each member of our community, supporting an expression of care when we interact with others.  
• Parent-Teacher Conferences with support staff will be scheduled to discuss absences and challenges to identity the barriers we may be able to assist with. 

• Public agencies, community partners and resources are involved as needed to address barriers identified through parent conferences, communications with family, or other sources. 
• School nurse is involved when necessary to follw-up on medically related absences and train staff to recognize signs of illness.
• Families are connected with the School Social Worker to provide insight as to the role of a School Social Worker, establish a relationship and provide clinical support and services.  

Tier 3 Interventions

Tier 3 Interventions - Address all five core ingredients. Tier 3 is the highest level of intervention and support for students that are absent 20% or more school days during the year.

- At most schools, Tier 3 interventions are utilized for about 5% (or less) of the student population.

Tiered plans will include strategies and interventions for the 5 core ingredients.

• Monitor Data
• Engage Students and Families
• Recognize Good and Improved Attendance
• Provide Personalized Outreach
• Remove Barriers

Monitor Data: 

• Students with a history of severe chronic absenteeism (missing more than 20% of a school year) are identified. 
• Administrators monitor the non-attendance report, data from BASIS to identify students that are missing too many school days. 
• Attendance data is one of the main metrics broutht to discussion for CPST, and RTI.  Attendance data may help uncover bigger issues the student or family are experiencing. 

• Students are referred to appropriate service agencies (social services, human resources, counseling, housing, the HEART team for homeless education, or health services).  When appropriate, a truancy petition. 
• Best practices from schools within the District that have been able to decrease chronic absences and increase satisfactory attendance is utilized. 
• Parents and agencies involved prior to initiating severe consequences related to truancy. 

• Appropriate positive reinforcements, for the students at Tier 3, is included in their "Attendance Success Plan" to support continued improved attendance.  This plan is developed with the parents, Guidance Counselor and Social Worker.  Plans and goals are shared with the child's teachers. 
• Tangible incentives are utilized to help students and parents improve attendance. 

• Positive and regular contact with the family is maintained. 
• Check-in on "Attendance Success Plans" and communication with parents at regular intervals are maintained. 
• School Social Worker is consulted as a resource for helping families with attendance problems. 
• Follow up is conducted when the student misses school. 

• Implement agreed upon family intervention plan.  Monitor for progress. 
• Connect students with chronic physical and mental health issues to medical providers. 
• For cases of suspected abuse, neglect of endangement, the appropriate agencies are contacted.