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MCPS reports modest drop in chronic absenteeism but committee asks for corrected subgroup data
Summary
MCPS officials told the Education and Culture Committee that chronic absenteeism across the district fell by over 2.25% through February, with notable school‑level successes and persistent disparities. Members requested corrected subgroup and attendance‑rate data and asked staff to circulate the revised slides.
Montgomery County Public Schools staff reported an overall reduction in chronic absenteeism of more than 2.25% through the end of February, but committee members pressed for corrected subgroup figures and clearer presentation of attendance rate versus chronic‑absenteeism measures.
Peter (MCPS central office) and Steve Neff, director of student support and attendance, explained that chronic absenteeism counts students who miss 10 or more days (about 18 school days), which the Maryland State Report Card now emphasizes. Neff said the district’s new chronic‑absenteeism dashboard and cross‑functional teams have supported targeted interventions and real‑time monitoring, and that the district would circulate a revised slide deck with corrected figures. "That is the correct data as of February 26," Neff said when committee members raised a discrepancy on white student rate reductions.
Staff presented subgroup trends showing Hispanic students continued to have the highest chronic‑absenteeism rates but also the largest year‑to‑year reduction; preschool and some service groups have made larger gains, while high school chronic absenteeism was holding steady. Committee members sought detailed breakout files and recent attendance‑rate series, arguing that average daily attendance and chronic absenteeism each tell different policy stories and both are useful for planning targeted supports.
The committee asked MCPS to provide corrected, school‑level data and an updated packet; members also requested overlays for causes (illness, suspension, etc.) to clarify drivers behind outliers. MCPS staff agreed to provide the requested data and circulate the corrected slide deck.
