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Waterbury officials outline chronic absenteeism trends and LEAP attendance plan, request ACES fiduciary role for grant
Summary
District staff told the Waterbury Board of Education that chronic absenteeism is at roughly 26% at the 77th day of the school year and described targeted interventions, including the LEAP grant administered through ACES, for which board approval was requested.
District staff told the Waterbury Board of Education on Jan. 7 that chronic absenteeism remains a priority, and they outlined local data, interventions and a federal grant-driven program designed to increase student attendance.
The presentation, led by Dr. Johnson with Assistant Superintendent Gopi and Family & Community Engagement Manager Sandra Romero, said the districtwide chronic absenteeism rate stands at about 26% at the 77th day of the school year. Staff said kindergarten chronic absenteeism is a particular monitoring goal and the district is targeting a 26% kindergarten rate and a 34.8% target for ninth grade. Presenters said Hispanic students and students with individualized education programs make up a large share of the chronically absent population.
District officials described layered strategies used at schools: parent and student education, chronic absenteeism teams (CAT teams) at every school, reward and incentive programs, nudge letters, home visits and referrals to community services. Staff…
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