Enrollment Crisis Unveiled as Attendance Plummets
October 09, 2024 | St. Louis City, School Districts, Missouri
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The discussion highlighted the distinction between projected enrollment—based on last year's figures and anticipated new registrations—and actual enrollment, which reflects the number of students who physically attend school. Attendance rates were also discussed, with the district reporting an average daily attendance (ADA) of 88.5% since the start of the school year. The goal is to achieve a 90% attendance rate, known as \"90-90,\" which requires that at least 90% of students attend school 90% of the time.
Concerns were raised regarding the impact of homelessness on attendance, with the manager confirming that homeless students are included in attendance calculations. The district provides transportation and support to these families, adhering to the McKinney-Vento Act, which mandates educational rights for homeless children.
Board members inquired about the enrollment process for younger students, particularly those entering pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. The manager explained that projections for these grades rely on proactive enrollment by parents, as the district does not assume attendance based on neighborhood demographics.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to improve outreach efforts to attract younger students and ensure they become familiar with the school system, as well as ongoing efforts to address the challenges of student absenteeism and housing instability in the community.
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