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Azusa Unified presents attendance support plan after chronic-absence rate falls to 20%
Summary
District staff reviewed a tiered attendance support system and reported a drop in chronic absenteeism from post-pandemic highs to 20% in 2024–25, while outlining targeted interventions and a September attendance campaign.
Azusa Unified School District officials on Aug. 12 reviewed a tiered attendance support system they said helped reduce chronic absenteeism to 20% in 2024–25.
The presentation, led by Director of Student Support Services Miss Camacho, laid out a three-tiered model of universal strategies, targeted interventions for students with 10%–19% absences, and intensive supports for students with the most significant attendance issues. Camacho said the district is launching an attendance campaign in September using resources from the national nonprofit Attendance Works.
District presenters said chronic absenteeism climbed after the pandemic and has steadily declined: 38% in 2020–21, about 32% in 2022–23 and 25% in 2023–24, reaching 20% in 2024–25. Camacho said the district will continue monthly monitoring, early outreach such as phone calls and home visits, and connect families to counseling and community resources when needed.
Camacho described specific tactics at each tier: schoolwide recognition and communication at Tier 1; root-cause analysis and family outreach at Tier 2; and referral to formal attendance review processes at Tier 3. She said the district is shifting recognition away from only “perfect attendance” to rewarding improvement and sustained gains.
Board members welcomed the report and emphasized the need to sustain supports as the school year begins. Board Clerk Rodriguez Pena asked about incentives and certificates; Camacho said principals and site teams will tailor recognition at each campus and that the district will unveil campaign materials in September.
District staff said the approach includes monthly data pulls for principals, targeted actions for identified grade levels, and outreach coordinated by community schools and social workers. No formal board action was taken on the item.
Camacho and board members said the work will continue and that the topic will remain part of future agendas as the district monitors results.
