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District benchmark results show mixed proficiency; trustees express concern about chronic absenteeism
Summary
Multiple schools reported second-benchmark assessment results showing varied proficiency and growth; trustees flagged chronic student absenteeism as a major concern and discussed proposals to return attendance officers to district supervision to improve responsiveness.
Principals from several Vicksburg Warren School District schools presented second-benchmark assessment results at the January meeting, showing mixed proficiency and measurable growth in some grades but low proficiency in reading, math and specific content areas at others.
Highlights presented by principals and school leaders included (selected figures reported at the meeting): Warren Central Junior High ' 34% reading proficiency, 37% math, 41% science; Vicksburg Junior High ' 22% reading proficiency, 24% math, 23% science; Warren Central High ' reading 40.3%, math 60.5%; Vicksburg High ' reading 30%, math 46% and biology 12% proficiency. Enrollment, average daily attendance and chronic absence rates were given school-by-school.
Trustees focused discussion on chronic absenteeism, which several principals cited as a key barrier to learning. Several trustees and administrators urged stronger follow-up with families; board members noted a proposal to return attendance officers from state oversight to district assignment so officers are directly accountable to district leadership and principals. Trustees said the district now performs extensive outreach (phone calls and house visits) and runs extended-learning and incentive programs, but they described parental noncompliance with attendance as a persistent obstacle.
Why it matters: Attendance affects students' ability to benefit from instruction. Trustees said improving responsiveness and accountability for attendance staff could increase daily attendance and support instructional gains.
Ending The board heard the reports and asked principals to continue targeted interventions; trustees asked staff to track attendance enforcement proposals and to report back on any state-level changes that would allow local assignment of attendance officers.
