McCormick Elementary credited with sharp drop in chronic absenteeism as BCPS reports systemwide gains

BCPS officials on March 25 described districtwide improvements in chronic absenteeism and highlighted McCormick Elementary School's work as an example of how targeted interventions can raise attendance and academic results.

Dr. Rogers introduced a panel from the division of schools and student-support services, saying the district had the largest reduction in chronic absenteeism recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education. Officials said the system used a "Here For It" campaign, attendance calendars in student handbooks, expanded online toolkits, an attendance-kiosk pilot supported by a grant and a tiered intervention model used at schools.

Principal Cortesus of McCormick (presented as the school's leader) told the board the school moved from a 2-star to a 4-star rating under the state's accountability system after significantly reducing chronic absenteeism. She described a three-tiered approach: Tier 1 prevention (0–2 absences) with teacher monitoring and initial outreach; Tier 2 (3–5 absences) with attendance-committee calls, nurse follow-ups, counseling, home visits by pupil personnel workers and wraparound services; and Tier 3 (5–7 absences) with mandatory conferences and intensified supports. For students exceeding seven absences, McCormick escalates to emergency interventions and legal options only after exhausting supports.

Teachers and the principal described positive reinforcement and incentives for attendance: classroom celebrations, after-school opportunities and partner coupons. Second-grade teacher Miss Shipman told the board her class is currently "at a 92% not chronically absent" rate and credited collaborative planning, targeted interventions and improved family communication for academic gains recorded this year.

Central-office staff said 74 schools are showing improvement relative to how they ended the prior year and that systemwide chronic-absence metrics are down year to date. Officials emphasized that the change required persistent, coordinated work across central office, school leaders, counselors and pupil personnel workers. The board and staff discussed scaling best practices and deploying PPWs and community partners to support schools in both the east and west zones.

Board members praised McCormick's strategy and asked staff to share examples and materials so other schools can replicate successful elements. Officials said they are continuing to monitor progress and prioritize data-driven deployment of resources.