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Minuteman principal reports rising student growth and a steady drop in chronic absenteeism
Summary
At a school committee meeting, the principal reported improved ELA growth, mixed math results, and a decline in chronic absenteeism (16.7% in 2022 to 10.5% in 2024). The committee discussed subgroup targets, cohort tracking and steps to improve retention and admissions.
The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical principal presented a detailed student-performance update, reporting modest gains in English language arts growth and a notable decline in chronic absenteeism.
In her presentation, Principal Heidi said Minutemans ELA growth moved from 65.4% to 66.1% year over year for the cohorts analyzed, while math results remained in the "typical growth" band with some year-to-year drops. She highlighted gains among several subgroups, including students with disabilities and high-needs cohorts, and emphasized that the states 2024 accountability calculations now include previously excluded lowest-performing students.
Why this matters: the principal told the committee that chronic absenteeism is closely correlated with achievement, and the schools trend is improving. She reported chronic absenteeism at 16.7% in 2022, 12.9% in 2023 and 10.5% in 2024. "These numbers are very promising; Im very excited for these numbers," she said.
Committee members pressed for more granular analysis. A member asked whether the drop in a particular grade represented cohort movement or attrition; the principal said the team will use cohort-following analysis to avoid misleading year-to-year comparisons and will expand exit interviews to learn why students leave.
Admissions and retention were also discussed. The principal reported that applications increased from 11 on Oct. 1 last year to 29 on Oct. 1 this year; a later update put completed applications at 47 with 24 started as of Oct. 15. The administration said it expects further increases after open houses and outreach and that it is tracking the conversion from application to enrollment.
The committee requested deeper subgroup reports and follow-up on attendance interventions. The principal described regular leadership support-team meetings to monitor attendance and noted processes to provide tutoring or appeals for medically excused long-term absences.
The presentation concluded with the committee thanking the principal for the report and noting the improvements on attendance as a priority for continued focus.
