Board hears attendance trends: elementary gains, secondary flat; district targets belonging, messaging and coaching

GRESHAM, Ore. — The district reported on attendance Aug. 21, showing modest gains at the elementary level but flat attendance rates at middle and high schools. District staff told the board many elementary schools increased the percentage of students who are “on track” (attending at least 90% of school days), while middle and high schools have not shown parallel improvements. Staff said students who miss school are disproportionately among historically underserved groups and that even moderate chronic absence can accumulate into a serious gap in learning. Administrators described a layered response: school‑level strategies to teach attendance expectations, district communications campaigns (a “Be Here” effort), strengthened early‑warning and tiered interventions, and a renewed emphasis on classroom engagement and sense of belonging. Staff also mentioned targeted partnerships with city and community organizations and attendance campaigns tied to school events and after‑school participation. Board members asked staff to bring more cross‑tabulated analyses (for example, attendance by course period and by participation in extracurricular activities) and to clarify reporting on excused vs. unexcused absences. District leaders said they will share more artifacts this fall and continue to integrate attendance strategies with the district’s SEL and instructional work. The board did not adopt new policies at the session but asked staff to prepare monitoring data and implementation plans for September work sessions.