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Newport-Mesa reports significant drop in chronic absenteeism, credits data and local outreach
Summary
District officials told trustees chronic absenteeism fell from about 21.2% to 12.86% (roughly 1,600 fewer chronically absent students) after campaigns, targeted interventions and a new data platform; the board heard next steps including expanded counseling and home-visit protocols.
Newport-Mesa Unified School District on Aug. 22 reported a notable decline in chronic absenteeism and outlined steps the district used to lower the number of students missing too much school.
Dr. Mina Blasey, the district’s director of continuous improvement, presented the data to trustees: “Are we getting better? From 2022–23 to 2023–24 the chronic absenteeism count…decreased by about 1,600 students,” she said, and reported the chronic-absence rate fell from 21.2% to 12.86%.
What the district credits: Presenters cited improvements in attendance coding accuracy, the A2A data platform for targeted notifications, an alternative-to-suspension program that recovered instructional time, expanded independent-study contracts, site-level attendance campaigns, door-hanger outreach and home visits. The district also spotlighted support for alternative-education sites, expanded social-work positions and the use of full-time reading/support teachers for early interventions.
Board reaction and follow-up: Trustees pressed for disaggregated data by elementary vs. secondary and by zone; staff confirmed those breakdowns are available and agreed to publish one-page handouts on the district website. Staff also cautioned that seasonal illness (winter months) affects attendance and emphasized that the strategy is to promote attendance without encouraging sick children to attend school.
Why it matters: District officials said improving attendance is tied directly to learning outcomes and early-literacy gains; staff plan to continue monthly reviews with principals, refine interventions, and use the A2A reporting to target communications and supports.
Next steps: The district will provide school- and zone-level reports, continue the Start. Stay. Finish. strong campaign and report state-dashboard comparisons when state DataQuest results become available.
