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Lancaster Charter School director Nicole Kent reports stable enrollment, flags high chronic absenteeism
Summary
Nicole Kent presented Lancaster Charter School's annual update, citing a day enrollment of 770, an 82% learner retention rate and work to reduce chronic absenteeism (dashboard cited ~42.8%). The school highlighted English-learner supports, restorative-practices partnership and after-school programming funded by ELLP.
Nicole Kent, director of leadership and network relations for Lancaster Charter School, presented the school's annual update to the Casper school board, saying the school's current day enrollment is 770 and that the districtwide total is 13,963 students, a gain of 41 since the last report. Kent said the school’s socioeconomically disadvantaged population is roughly 80% and described learner retention at 82% and staff retention at 78%.
Kent outlined three core goals: strengthen instruction through the school's stated methodology (logic-based learning, social-emotional learning and individualized learning); apply design thinking to authentic student work; and maintain safety and supports for students. Kent highlighted assessment practices including three MAP/NWEA administrations per year and described a CGI-style growth measure indicating approximately one year of reading growth for many students.
Kent called attention to dashboard metrics she said the school is addressing: "about 42.8% chronic absenteeism and 4.38 suspensions" (as stated in the presentation). She described targeted academic interventions in mathematics and English language arts, attendance strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism, and partnerships that include the Los Angeles Institute for Restorative Practices (LARK) to implement restorative approaches.
The presentation noted the school uses ELLP funds to support a robust after-school program (clubs, athletics, tutoring and a summer session) and detailed enrichment offerings such as music, coding, leadership and athletics. Kent also described family engagement survey results (as stated): roughly 87% of families reported they were satisfied with the program and about 83% said they felt communication and the learning environment were positive.
Kent said next steps will emphasize ELA improvements, continued interventions to close achievement gaps, and implementation of attendance and school-climate strategies.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation; the update was delivered during the presentations and reports portion of the agenda.
