The American Association of School Superintendents (AASA) hosts their annual K12 education conference next week in San Antonio, TX. The timing is pivotal as most districts are about 60% through the current school year, enough time to know that if student metrics like average daily attendance and chronic absenteeism are not where they should be, there is still time to do something about it. Additionally, most districts are elbow deep in planning mode for next year.
A first look at Q1 attendance rates in California reveals chronic absence rates were still hovering at 25%. To any Superintendent attending AASA, if conversations surrounding improving school-to-home communications, school avoidance, and attendance are not part of your agenda, they should be. Not a day goes by that districts aren’t making headlines on the epic proportion of students who remain chronically absent.
During AASA, SI&A, Richardson ISD, and Joliet Public Schools are teaming up to host a round table session on Thursday, Feb 16, in the exhibit hall from 2:15-3:15 pm to facilitate a conversation exploring the necessary strategies to reinforce student, and parent, habits on daily attendance. If you or your colleague will be at AASA, do not miss this critical conversation, “Investing in a Culture of Showing Up: Addressing Attendance Habits In a Post-Pandemic World.”
