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Oak Grove high school credits tied to attendance; board hears results of new approach
Summary
Administrators reported that a shift to a 90% attendance expectation with positive incentives raised attendance and that a threshold of 11 absences per semester may result in withheld credit until makeup work is completed; the board discussed implications for seniors and interventions.
High school administrators reported preliminary results from a revised attendance policy emphasizing a 90% attendance expectation and positive incentives instead of punitive grade reductions. The presenter said the district saw roughly a 2 percent overall attendance increase and noted that the MSIP attendance rate rose from about 80 percent to 95 percent in the period discussed.
Under the revised approach, students with 11 or more absences in a semester risk having credits withheld until they make up time; administrators described an appeal/review process by a committee and noted exceptions for documented medical issues. The board questioned whether seniors who fall below thresholds could still participate in graduation ceremonies and were told credits remain a requirement to earn a diploma, though staff said they will exhaust interventions — home visits, meetings and makeup options — before invoking credit withholding.
Administrators emphasized that attendance improvements correlate with improved learning and said individualized monitoring and early intervention (conversations at day four, five, six) have been instituted. The board did not take formal action at the meeting but noted they would monitor outcomes and that the attendance committee will review individual cases under the policy.
The presenter said staff will continue to communicate with families, and the board recognized the attendance policy's role in aligning academic eligibility for extracurriculars and activities.
