Best Practices of Successful Attendance Teams Presented September 8, 2017, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Every Day Matters: Building School-Based Plans to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism Conference Best Practices of Successful Attendance Teams Teri Wimborne, Director of Collective Impact. Mission: Graduate Lorilei Chavez, Native American Liaison, Bernalillo Public Schools

Why? Attendance Teams work together to ensure that no one person has the weight of the school on their shoulders. Increasing attendance makes teacher’s jobs easier. An attendance team can look together at the data to determine where the biggest issues are. An attendance team can work together, brainstorming ideas for increasing attendance Attendance teams form cohorts that support each other and divide the work Attendance teams can look at student level data – “why are Joseph and his sister out so much at the same time?” “I know the family, I will call Mom and talk with her.”

What does a successful attendance team look like? Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Team made up of committed members, with a designated lead and decision maker (who else should be on your team?) Access to school data on a regular basis Regular meeting schedule, with an agenda Willingness to roll up sleeves, brainstorm action plan Involves the community Understands that failing is not falling backward

Attendance Around the Country http://www.every1graduates.org/ www.attendanceworks.org

Relationships Matter A Toolkit for Launching An Elementary Success Mentor Initiative

Attendance Works – Portraits of Change New Britain, Connecticut Springdale, Arkansas Long Beach, California Phoenix, Arizona Oregon Tribal West Newfield, Maine

What did these communities have? Passion

Successful Attendance Steps Identify or establish a team to address attendance Look at school data Develop an initial plan of action Create a tiered system of supports Tap community partners for help      

A. Recognize good and improved attendance Strategies for School Sites A. Recognize good and improved attendance B. Engage students through school activities, incentives, contests, culturally appropriate events C. Engage parents through one-to-one discussions, school climate, open door policy, family events, resources D. Monitor attendance data regularly E. Develop a school-wide campaign on attendance awareness F. Provide Personalized Early Outreach for students with needs G. Develop Programmatic Response to Barriers  

Attendance Awareness Strategy School-Based Partnerships & Continuous Improvement

Team Work at a Local High School-BHS Looked at high school chronic absence data Hosted meetings with tribal education departments Initiated student input surveys Participated in the Homecoming Parade and distributed attendance information to the community Began promoting healthy hygiene habits school wide

Student Surveys

Students Surveyed

BHS School Attendance Policy Work Fall 2016, Joined the Strive together Attendance initiative. Performed Process Map of school attendance. School Attendance is Taken Attendance put into system Parents called Is it? Are they?

BHS Attendance Team Work Climate Assessment

Success Mentors

Changes to Policies Are there school policies that are keeping the work from being done? Are there school/district policies that need to be in place? Are there policies that can make the attendance process work better? Who needs to approve policy changes? How do you get buy in? (hint: data helps!)

Thank you! Missiongraduatenm.org