Attendance StrategiesAcross All Three Tiers

Proactive Strategies for Prevention and Intervention

To develop campus systems and cultures which promote high attendance expectations and result in improved attendance

Purpose

First step toward graduation starting in Pre-K◦Makes education important◦ Creates engaged learners◦ Keeps students on grade level

Students who are present receive daily instruction Attending students are available for interventions and extra help

Increased attendance is a district goal and part of strategic plan◦ Generates more district funding ◦ Attendance monitoring takes a village

Why Does Attendance Matter?

Strategic Tiered Systems and Activities at Tier I, II, and III

Classroom and Campus Attendance Incentives

Focus for Today

Establish procedures and support systems Monitor and review campus policies Identify attendance goals Plan school-wide incentives Communicate information regularly to

parents, students, and staff Monitor attendance regularly and accurately

Tier 1: Universal Systems(0-3 absences)

Tier 1 Activities(0-3 absences)

Update absences to tardies for late arrivals Take satellite attendance each period (library, nurse, etc.) “Attendance Matters” webinar Ensure School Messenger makes absence phone calls Hold conference with student and parent after 3 absences Hang posters in building indicating when and where to

submit attendance notes; include contact name and number Hold class, team, or grade level competitions with rewards Have secondary students complete career interest

inventories

Attendance in locations other than classroom (office, library, ISS, counselor, etc.)

Use different colored sign-in sheets each period in each location

Collect and update attendance information every period

Satellite Attendance(Secondary Strategy)

Secondary students via advisoryCompulsory attendanceBenefitsConsequencesProcedures for reporting absenceswww.childstudysystem.com

Attendance Matters Webinar (6 minutes)

Possible Incentivesstickers, certificates,recess time, homework pass, pencils, erasers, time with favorite adult,positive note home,classroom helper,grade level trophy or flag, uniform free day,unassigned cafeteria

seating

Classroom◦ recognition, praise◦ wall of fame◦ prizes

Grade Level or Team◦ competitions◦ flag or trophy◦ homework passes

Campus◦ pizza, popcorn party◦ prize wheel, drawings◦ uniform-free day◦ inter-campus competition

Attendance Incentives

Take a few minutes to share attendance incentives you’ve used. Talk about: What have you used? Who monitored? How did it work?

Pair Share

Develop a campus level attendance committee Identify students with 4-9 absences Create and document intervention plans for groups and

individual students Identify staff members responsible for implementing and

monitoring plan Connect students to campus support programs Maintain parent communication; encourage engagement Monitor systems and procedures to ensure effectiveness

Tier 2: Targeted Systems(4-9 absences)

Purpose◦Develop monitoring systems◦ Staff students at Tier II◦ Examine attendance and leaver data◦Develop campus incentives and strategies

Members—administrator, counselor, attendance specialist, registrar, (DPS, PSS, CIS when available)

Agenda Items◦Data◦ School-wide Systems and Activities◦ Individual Student Problem Solving◦ Student Watch List

Creating an Attendance Committee

Hold conference with student and/or parent Provide daily check in/check out for selected students Provide small group instruction (social skills, conflict

management, etc.) Refer students to attendance committee or CST Assign weekly attendance contract Send attendance warning letter home Ask parent to view “Connecting the Dots” Assign Saturday school, tutoring, or college test prep Refer to campus support services (CIS, PSS, CARY, etc)

Tier 2 Activities/Interventions(4-9 absences)

Identify students with 10+ absences Review current interventions and adjust Document attendance interventions in eCST Monitor progress and refer for CST staffing when needed Connect students with campus or community support

programs Coordinate with court and other outside agencies Maintain parent communication and engagement Review and reevaluate campus systems and procedures to

ensure effectiveness

Tier 3: Intensive Systems(10+ absences)

Implement daily attendance contract Invite parent and student to attendance workshop Use campus-specific initiatives (TIPS, Premier, etc.) Refer to CST for more intensive staffing Discuss alternative education programs (Premier, AYC, etc.) Consider referral to Social Service Specialist in order to

connect family to community services (Crossroads, Life Changers, SafePlace, etc.)

Assign community service, tutorials, twilight school, etc. Initiate administrative withdrawals in coordination with

DPS; ensure follow-up meeting with student and family Submit documents for truancy court filing

Tier 3: Intensive Interventions

Team work Essential Roles Backup Supervisor◦Monitor◦ Support

Related Duties Child Study Team (CST) Training

Key Roles - Systems Check

Student

Family

Staff

www.childstudysystem.com

Dropout Prevention Specialists

Campus Attendance Specialists

Child Study Facilitators

For Additional Information