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Roswell board hears attendance report showing declines in chronic absenteeism at most schools
Summary
The district reported reductions in chronic absenteeism across most schools and described measures — including text-message outreach, early-warning systems and targeted counseling — credited with the improvements.
District staff reported year-over-year reductions in chronic absenteeism in most Roswell schools at the July 8 board meeting and described a range of interventions they say produced the change.
Assistant Superintendent (presentation lead) Miss Cole told trustees the district used Public Education Department data and local attendance teams to analyze chronic absenteeism. She reported that eight schools reduced rates by more than 10 percent, seven schools reduced rates by 5 to 9.99 percent, four schools reduced rates by 0 to 5 percent and two schools increased slightly. Cole told the board the district draws attendance data from the PED “Safe Schools” bureau on a public dashboard.
District leaders credited multiple strategies for improvements: automated text messaging to families; early-warning systems that combine attendance, discipline and grade data; home visits; targeted counseling; school-based food and hygiene supports (including a Roadrunner food distribution and campus "worry walls"); professional learning for teachers; and partnerships with community providers. Cole told trustees “we're doing so much more of that in the schools with the messaging apps” and that building positive school climate was a major focus.
Why it matters: chronic absenteeism is strongly correlated with lower student achievement and graduation outcomes. The district's attendance director and school leaders told the board that expanded interventions and family engagement appeared to be reducing chronic absenteeism across the district.
Concerns and next steps: the report identified 201 students listed as having dropped due to consecutive absences; district staff said they will provide additional data about where those students left and why. Board members asked about staffing ratios for counselors and administrators and urged continued emphasis on extracurricular offerings and community partnerships to build student connections.
No formal board action was required; trustees praised the work and asked for follow-up data on students who left the district and on staffing ratios to support attendance follow-up work.
