Karen Western reports falling chronic absenteeism and gains in reading, leaders credit attendance strategy

Karen Western school leaders told the Ralston Public Schools Board that focused attendance strategies, revised PLC scheduling and targeted interventions coincided with measurable academic growth and lower chronic absenteeism.

Andrew (last name not specified), principal at Karen Western, presented beginning‑of‑year and midyear FastBridge and NSCAS data and described a set of interventions the school used after a year in which second and sixth grade beginning cohorts performed far below expectations. He said the school narrowed building goals to two priorities: overall reading proficiency and increasing average daily attendance/ reducing chronic absenteeism.

The principal said the school changed how professional learning communities (PLCs) are scheduled — creating a four‑week rotation so teachers meet on designated days by grade level — and intentionally aligned…