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LDOE launches 'Power of Presence' attendance strategy, aims to cut chronic absenteeism
Summary
The Louisiana Department of Education presented a new attendance initiative, Power of Presence, that will measure chronic absenteeism and truancy and provide tiered, community‑oriented supports to improve student attendance.
The Louisiana Department of Education rolled out a statewide attendance strategy called Power of Presence and told the task force it will focus on prevention, intervention and community partnerships to reduce chronic absenteeism.
Misty Davis, who said she is leading the state's attendance work, told members that the initiative will track two primary indicators in real time: chronic absenteeism (students who miss 10 percent or more of enrolled school days) and truancy (five or more unexcused absences or tardies in a single semester). "For children to take advantage of the literacy initiative, early childhood, the literacy, the math, the high quality teachers... you've got to be present," Davis said.
Davis said the department is developing a guidance document for systems and schools that outlines tiered supports, suggested community partnerships and practical interventions such as uniform closets and transportation solutions. She also said the department has begun field visits with school systems to identify local barriers and match them with community resources.
Task force members and nonprofit representatives offered examples—period product distribution, local uniform closets and targeted community outreach—as immediate ways partners could help reduce absences. Davis said the department will create parent‑facing materials and checklists to help schools communicate attendance expectations and celebrate improved attendance.
