Ed Services reports on truancy program; board adopts third-grade promotion/retention policy required by state law

Lede: The Stevens Point Area Public School District's Ed Services Committee updated the board May 6 on a four-tier truancy program designed to keep students in school and on interventions; the board then voted to adopt Policy 5411, the district's third-grade promotion and retention policy required by Act 20.

Nut graf: Staff described the district's emphasis on keeping students in school through progressive interventions and noted that monetary fines at the top tier can be “bought back” by documented attendance and behavior plans. The board adopted Policy 5411 after staff reported current counts of students on personalized reading plans and explained the timeline for meeting the state deadline.

Truancy program - Presentation: Ed Services staff described a four-tier truancy process focused on preventing absences and supporting students. At the highest tier, fines exist but can be offset if students meet behavior or attendance targets (for example, demonstrating 50 consecutive school days of attendance could allow fines to be "bought back"). The district reported six students have reached the fourth tier at any point this year. - Emphasis: Board members and staff framed the program as focused on supports and incentives ("carrot and stick") and discussed coordinating visits and tours of local postsecondary opportunities to motivate students.

Third-grade promotion/retention (Policy 5411) - Background: The policy aligns with Act 20 legislation and requires districts to adopt procedures for third-grade students identified as at risk. Staff said the district identifies at-risk third graders based on universal screeners (noted in the meeting as "below the 20 fifth percentile"). Universal screeners are administered three times per year in English language arts and math. - Current counts and timeline: Staff reported 107 third-grade students currently on personalized reading plans (PRPs). Those students will have one more spring screening opportunity; Policy 5411 will be formally implemented on Sept. 1, 2027, after the board approved it May 6. - Decision-making factors: The district affirmed it will use the full list of factors recommended by Neola (state-approved guidance) to determine retention or promotion. Staff emphasized retention will be a rare, last-resort outcome and parents retain the ability to disagree; if parents overrule a district recommendation, the district will place a record in the student's file noting its recommendation.

Vote and next steps - Motion to approve Policy 5411 carried by voice vote; staff will prepare an implementation cadence and the required state reporting of PRP counts. Board members asked for comparative data from other districts when available; staff said the state reporting system will collect PRP numbers annually and they will seek available comparative information.

Attribution: Presentation and counts provided by Educational Services staff (Chris).