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.

Data Review
Upon reviewing attendance data and comparing it to 2016/17 data and comparing first and second semester data it was determined that there has been a decline in Satisfactory student attendance. The number of students At Risk has increased in Semester 2 for both 2016/17 and 2017/18.  The most recent data, from 2017/18 second semester indicated that 45.35 % of students had Satisfactory attendance a decrease from 57.56% the previous year. This decline caused us to reevaluate our current plan and modify it in order to increase attendance. It was necessary to create goals to address Satisfactory attendance as well as focus on At Risk Attendance and Chronic Attendance percentages. 
 
Goal 1:  In 2017/18 (second semester) overall at risk attendance was 29.15%(367 students).  The goal for at risk attendance is to decrease the percentage of at risk students by 5% (63 students).
 
Goal 2:  Overall chronic absence for all grades in 2017/18(second semester) was 11.67% (147 students) with 10.48% (132 students) chronic absence and 1.19% (15 students) severe chronic absence.  Our goal to reduce overall chronic absence by 3% (38 students).
 
Goal 3:  In 2017/18 (second semester) overall satisfactory attendance was 45.35%, which was a 12% decrease from the previous year.  The goal for satisfactory attendance is to increase the percentage of students attending 95% or more in every grade level by the end of 2018/19.
 
 

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

A. Monitor Data
 

• All teachers will view the Brainshark training for Taking Classroom Attendance at the Elementary Level (K-5).  A record will be kept to document training was completed.
• Ms. Sedley will manage daily attendance.
• Attendance report will be monitored regularly by the support staff to monitor attendance and steer the direction of attendance initiatives.
• Students will set goals and monitor their attendance. 

• Teachers and staff will reach out to parents to remind them of the importance of school attendance. 
• Attendance Line (phone number) is provided to all families via the school website and student agendas.
• Monthly updates regarding average daily attendance will be shared via SAC meetings, PTSA meetings and parent links.
• Social media will be used to send messages regarding school attendance.
• Attendance Line phone number is easily accessible on the school website and in the student agenda
• Students will be reminded about school attendance and tardy policies regularly during our school wide morning announcement
• Students will participate in taking the attendance pledge
• Students will participate in a school wide poster contest to promote attendance

• School Based attendance recognition events will occur throughout the school year. 

• The importance of school attendance will be emphasized at all parent meetings including Kindergarten Round Up, conferences and School Advisory Council meetings.
• Front office will share attendance information (attendance counts cards) with parents.

• The school provides free breakfast for all students every day and encourages them to arrive early to take advantage of this program.

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

A.  Monitor Data
 

• Teachers will monitor absences through Pinnacle and consult with support staff for help in redirecting absenteeism behavior.
• School Counselors and support staff will monitor attendance patterns and provide interventions for students that are at risk and may require additional services.

• Teachers will contact parents personally when a student has 1-3 unexcused absences, 1-4 excused absences, 1-3 tardies in a marking period or 3-5 early sign outs.  Teachers will communicate concerns about the students being absent and gather information regarding the reason for the absences.
• Attendance clerk will send attendance letter home after 3^rd and 5^th unexcused absence.  This letter informs parents of attendance policy and offers strategies for families to improve school attendance.

• Parents of chronically absent student will be contacted by phone in order to identify if additional family support is needed.
• Teachers will make a referral to the School Social Worker (SSW) if they are unable to engage the parent via phone or by written conference request.
•  

• Students will be recognized for their successful effort in improving their attendance. 

• Parent teacher conferences may include support staff to discuss attendance and to develop a plan to improve attendance.
• Broward Truancy Intervention Plan (BTIP) meetings with parents and administration will be held to share BTIP letter, attendance information and to develop attendance agreement. 

• School staff including teachers, office staff, administration and school social worker will work together to identify barriers to attendance and offer available resources/referrals to help remove those barriers.  Barriers may include health concerns, homelessness, lack of school supplies, transportation, etc.
• The school social worker will follow up with parents on any major conditions that impact school attendance. 

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

A. Monitor Data
 

• Identify students with a history of severe chronic absenteeism (missing 20% or more of the school year).
• Leadership team will monitor the non-attendance report to identify students missing too many school days. 
• Attendance data is reviewed by the CPST in order to determine if attendance is making an impact on a student’s academic performance. 

• Refer students to appropriate service agencies and share attendance data in order to ensure appropriate assistance.
• . Follow the guidelines of the Broward Truancy Intervention Plan (BTIP).

• Appropriate and positive reinforcements will be included in the “Attendance Success Plan” for all Tier 3 students.

• Ensure continued positive and consistent contact with families.
• Utilize school social worker as a resource for support.
• Make contact with the family when student misses school.

• Implement and monitor “Attendance Success Plan”
• Connect students with appropriate services.