New Hanover County Schools spotlights attendance plan after data shows large achievement gaps

New Hanover County Schools presented a districtwide attendance initiative at its February board meeting, outlining goals and school‑level strategies aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism and closing achievement gaps.

The superintendent’s strategic‑plan presentation, delivered by district staff and principals, said the district’s attendance initiative aims to reduce the percentage of chronically absent students by 10% annually and to cut the number in the warning category by 5% annually. District presenters noted that, last year, nearly one in four students qualified as chronically absent (18 or more missed days) and that proficiency differences between regularly attending and chronically absent students were substantial: examples cited included a 74% proficiency rate among non‑chronically absent second graders versus 51% for chronically absent peers.

At the school level, principals described a three‑tiered approach. Myrtle Grove Principal Cindy Bliss and Castle Hayne staff described universal messaging (fridge‑magnet calendars and parent materials), homeroom and classroom data trackers, daily attendance rounds, and targeted interventions for students identified at risk. Bliss explained a proactive “eye‑to‑eye” check system in which staff members each track a small caseload of students and make personal outreach when a child is missing. For higher‑need students, the district assigns small‑group or individual supports with school social workers during intervention blocks.

Presenters emphasized that attendance affects foundational skill instruction in early grades and long‑term outcomes: the district pointed to third‑grade reading and on‑time graduation risk as examples where attendance is predictive. Several school examples showed gains after implementing coaching and attendance practices: one teacher reported class proficiency gains from roughly 35% to 83% after targeted instructional supports combined with attendance outreach.

Board members said they supported the approach but urged continued attention to how the programs are staffed and resourced during an upcoming tight budget cycle. Several members also asked staff to track whether pre‑K participation correlates with improved attendance patterns later in elementary school and to provide evidence of program scalability across schools.

The board did not take formal action on the attendance presentation; the superintendent said curricular and operational resources already exist and staff will supply any requested follow‑up data and a timeline for districtwide rollouts and supports.