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Southeast Polk reports chronic absenteeism down to 14% districtwide; board hears links to improved student achievement
Summary
District leaders told the board chronic absenteeism fell from 24% to 14% year over year, with 853 more students meeting attendance goals; staff linked improved attendance to stronger third-grade ISASP results and progress in other grade bands.
Southeast Polk Community School District staff told the board the district’s chronic absenteeism rate has fallen to 14 percent, down from 24 percent the prior year, and credited districtwide attendance efforts for the change.
At the meeting the presenter said that reduction represents about "853 more students" meeting attendance goals compared with the prior year. The board heard that six of 11 buildings now report single-digit chronic absenteeism and that third grade saw a sharp improvement — chronic absenteeism for third grade fell from about 20 percent in 2024 to 7 percent this year.
Officials linked the attendance gains to student achievement. The presenter noted third-grade English language arts proficiency rose from 66 percent in 2024 to 73 percent in 2025 and said, "this is the first third grade since 2019 that did not experience interrupted learning." The board also heard examples of other grade-band improvements and district efforts: attendance task forces, school-based teams, and collaborative work across staff, families and community partners.
Board members applauded the work and emphasized the districtwide effort required to produce the improvement. Staff said a summative report will follow when all data are in and confirmed; about 98 percent of ISASP data had been received at the time of the presentation.
No formal board action was required; the item was presented for information and to acknowledge the attendance team’s work.
