Grand Forks Public Schools is launching a community-wide effort to address a chronic absenteeism rate that significantly surpasses state and national averages. With nearly one in four students missing 18 or more school days, district leaders have established a task force and are implementing new policies to improve attendance and student outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- 23% of Grand Forks students are chronically absent, compared to the 20% state and national average.
- The district has created an Attendance Task Force to raise community awareness and develop solutions.
- A new high school policy has already improved attendance by 15% in a single year.
- Economically disadvantaged, multi-lingual, and special education students are disproportionately affected by absenteeism.
- A new public awareness campaign, "Be here. Be prepared. Attendance matters," is set to launch in November.
Absenteeism Exceeds National Benchmarks
In the Grand Forks Public Schools district, 23% of the student body is considered chronically absent, a figure that has prompted significant concern among educators. A student is classified as chronically absent when they miss 18 or more days in a single school year.
This rate is notably higher than the 20% average for both North Dakota and the nation during the 2023-2024 school year. According to district data, Grand Forks has consistently exceeded these averages for the past five years.
Defining the Problem
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year for any reason, excused or unexcused. This amounts to approximately 18 days in a typical 180-day school year. Educators view it as a critical indicator of potential academic trouble and disengagement.
To address this trend, the district has organized an Attendance Task Force. "We've really tried to bring awareness to how much happens in a student's day," said Jessica Sporbert, the district's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Coordinator. "We are offering those foundational skills that set them up for success."
Identifying Causes and Affected Student Groups
District officials point to several factors contributing to the high rate of absenteeism. These include cuts in federal funding for educational support programs, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on student routines, and a general lack of community understanding about the importance of daily attendance.
While these issues have affected many school districts, officials in Grand Forks have not yet identified a specific reason why their rates are higher than other North Dakota districts facing similar challenges.
Attendance Disparities
Data from the last school year reveals significant attendance gaps among student populations:
- All Students: 87% consistent attendance
- Multi-lingual Students: 81% consistent attendance
- Special Education Students: 78% consistent attendance
- Economically Disadvantaged Students: 73% consistent attendance
The data shows that absenteeism disproportionately impacts the district's most vulnerable students. In response, the district has increased support services, including mental and emotional health resources, transportation assistance, and the translation of all official documents into a family's primary language.
A New Strategy Shows Promising Results
While systemic supports are being expanded, school leaders emphasize that direct communication is often the most effective tool. Jon Strandell, Principal of Central High School, explained the proactive approach his staff takes.
"The school social worker will call home. Dig a little deeper. ‘What are the barriers? What are the reasons for the absences? What can we do differently as a school community to help your family to get your child to school?’”
This focus on intervention is central to a new attendance policy implemented at the district's high schools last year. The policy, which created a tiered system of responses, resulted in a 15% increase in attendance within one year.
The High School Intervention Plan
The successful high school policy is structured in multiple tiers:
- Tier 1 (6 Absences): School staff initiates contact with the student's home to discuss the absences.
- Tier 2 (10 Absences): A formal meeting is scheduled with guardians to develop a collaborative plan for improving attendance.
- Tier 3 (12 Absences): The student no longer receives academic credit for work completed on any subsequent days they are absent.
- Final Tier (18 Absences): After reaching the threshold for chronic absenteeism, the student is dropped from the class or classes.
The Link Between Attendance and Achievement
The district's internal research confirms a strong correlation between attendance and academic performance. A study of high school data revealed a stark contrast: not a single chronically absent student earned A's or B's. In comparison, 69% of the overall student population achieved these top grades.
However, officials stress that the consequences of poor attendance extend beyond academics. Matt Bakke, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, highlighted the social impact.
"It's not just about the academics, it's not just about the opportunities and the extracurriculars," Bakke stated. "It's the social-emotional aspect as well, how to interact within a community."
Principal Strandell added that attendance habits often form early and can carry through a student's entire academic career. Students who are frequently absent in elementary and middle school are more likely to continue that pattern in high school.
Expanding Success to Younger Grades
Given the positive results at the high school level, district leaders are planning to implement a similar tiered intervention system in the elementary and middle schools. The goal is to correct attendance issues before they become ingrained habits.
"(Principals) at the high school level have done an exceptional job of really changing that trajectory when it comes to attendance," Bakke said. "And middle schools and elementary schools want to follow suit and see that same trajectory. We're hoping through this process that we're going to see that change."
The district's efforts will be supported by a new public awareness campaign launching in November. The campaign will center on the clear and direct message: "Be here. Be prepared. Attendance matters."