Shakopee Middle Schools implement targeted strategies to improve student attendance rates

The Shakopee Public School District held a work session on April 15, 2025, focusing on strategies to improve student attendance at the district's middle schools. The meeting featured a detailed presentation from a representative of the Family Resource Center, who outlined ongoing efforts and future plans aimed at addressing chronic absenteeism among students in grades 6 through 8.

The primary goals discussed included enhancing attendance practices, fostering direct connections with families, and collaborating with local programs such as PATH and PATH Prevention. The presenter emphasized the importance of creating a positive impact on students' attendance and understanding the various district and county resources available to support families.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to explaining the process of managing a caseload of students identified as chronically absent. The presenter described how attendance meetings are held with families, school staff, and county representatives to identify barriers to attendance and develop tailored intervention plans. These meetings can take place at homes, schools, or the Family Resource Center, depending on what works best for the families involved.

Data presented during the session highlighted the truancy rates at East and West Middle Schools, comparing the current school year to the previous one. The statistics revealed that Shakopee's attendance expectation is for students to miss no more than 10% of the school year. Students missing between 30% and 70% of the year receive tier 2 interventions, while those missing more than 70% are referred to tier 3 support through county programs.

The presenter also shared demographic information about the students on their caseload, noting that the majority were female and that eighth graders represented the highest number of chronically absent students. The discussion included insights into common factors contributing to absenteeism, such as financial barriers and academic struggles.

Looking ahead, the presenter outlined plans to connect with elementary school attendance teams to identify incoming sixth graders with prior attendance issues. They also expressed intentions to support students during summer school and collaborate with other school districts to share best practices.

The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, where attendees expressed appreciation for the efforts being made to address attendance challenges and support students and families in the Shakopee community. Overall, the session underscored the district's commitment to ensuring that no student falls through the cracks when it comes to education and attendance.