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High-school principals report modest gains in graduation and attendance; SEL and phone policies under review
Summary
Principals from Richland and Hanford presented midyear data showing a district jump in the four-year graduation rate (82.8% to 86.2%) and a slight attendance increase; boards and principals discussed SEL delivery differences, cell-phone enforcement, and online attendance practices for PCOA/HomeLink.
High-school principals and student representatives presented midyear results from the district's high schools and discussed delivery and enforcement of SEL and cell-phone policies.
Principals said their schools received OSPI report-card data for the 2024 school year and reported a districtwide 4-year graduation-rate increase from 82.8% to 86.2%. Attendance rose slightly from 74.6% to 76% districtwide. Presenters explained the district's method for counting "ninth-grade on-track" (credits-in-hand going into 10th grade) differs from the state's calculation and offered to follow up with OSPI on specific discrepancies that produced lower-than-expected values in a few cases.
Principals described different SEL/advisory models: one school tied SEL to homeroom/second period to maintain continuity, while another kept grade-level advisories to build cohort community. They said teachers have been adapting the Character Strong curriculum and that schools are seeing better engagement when lessons are customized.
On cell phones, principals reported fewer classroom distractions and less online harassment since policy changes, but noted enforcement consistency varies by teacher and classroom. Most issues have been handled through teacher reminders and parent contact rather than formal office referrals.
Paul and Tyler (PCOA/HomeLink) explained online attendance practices: PowerSchool is used for daily attendance and weekly two-way academic communication is used to meet ALE guidance; cameras are encouraged for meetings and breakouts but are not mandated due to student anxiety and technology constraints.
Student advisory representative Ella (Hanford High) urged clearer reporting tools for discipline and bullying and welcomed the district's planned review of sample AI policies.
