Board hears strategic-plan update as trustees debate attendance goals and supports

Superintendent staff updated the Granite School Board on the district's strategic plan, offering a review of academic priorities, social skills and dispositions measures and talent-development indicators, and prompting an extended discussion among trustees about chronic absenteeism and possible legislative solutions.

Staff said data available now show promising trends for graduation rates and certain high-school outcomes, while math and English language arts proficiency figures for the most recent year will not be final until December and publicly available in January. "We don't have ELA or math data, until the end of, probably more likely until January," a district staff presenter said. Staff highlighted growth in student speaking scores and said several high schools' local tactics, such as setting individual goals, had shown…