School District Practices on Student Absenteeism

ACNJ is preparing a follow-up report on student chronic absenteeism in New Jersey schools. The report aims to bring attention to the issue as well as identify what steps districts are taking to reduce chronic absenteeism in their schools. We hope to highlight the survey findings in the September report, so that districts can learn from each other as to what is working in schools throughout the state.

We know that this is the end of the school year, but we would appreciate it if you could complete the survey by Wednesday, July 20th. No district-specific information will be part of the report.

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* 1. Please complete the following district/staff information

Name *

School District *

Address *

Address 2 *

City/Town *

ZIP/Postal Code *

Email Address *

Phone Number

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* 2. What is your job title at the district?

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* 3. How does your district define "chronic absenteeism"?

The percentage of the student body that is in attendance on an average day

The number of students with 10 or more unexcused absences

The number of students missing 10% or more of enrolled school days (excused and unexcused absences)

Other (please specify)

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* 4. In the 2015-16 school year, our district reviewed student absentee data:

Every week

Every month

Every marking period

At the end of the year

Other (please specify)

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* 5. In the 2015-16 school year, our district reviewed student absentee data by (check all that apply):

School

Grade

Classroom

Student

Students with special needs

English Language Learners

Race

Homeless students

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* 6. Overall district absentee data is shared with (check all that apply):

Central office administration

School building leaders (Principals, VPs, etc.)

All district teachers

Some teachers (for example, teachers on I&RS teams)

Families

It is not shared

Other (please specify)

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* 7. School-level student absentee data is shared with (check all that apply):

Administrators throughout the district

Administrators from that school only

Teachers throughout the district

Teachers in that school only

All parents throughout the district

Parents in that school only

It is not shared

Other (please specify)

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* 8. How does the district identify causes of excessive student absences? (Check all that apply.)

Asking students the reason(s)

Informally talking to parents about the reasons

Surveying parents

Surveying older students

Surveying teachers and other school staff

Holding parent focus groups

Holding student focus groups

We have not looked at this issue

Other (please specify)

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* 9. How has the district responded to the causes of student absences, once identified? (Check all that apply.)

Supports for students facing identified barriers (e.g., health, transportation)

Compliance and enforcement (court letters, parent contracts, etc.)

Mentorship programs

Incentives for good and/or improved attendance

Staff professional development

We have not addressed the issue

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. How does the district engage parents to encourage school attendance? (Check all that apply)

Information about the importance of daily school attendance

Calls/texts/emails to parents

Discussions of importance of attendance at back-to-school nights, assemblies, etc.

Messages at parent group meetings, PTA, in-school classes for parents (e.g. English language classes, job training), etc.

Community outreach (houses of worship, nonprofits like Boys and Girls Club, etc.)

Home visits

One-on-one conversations with parents about school expectations

Other (please specify)

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* 11. How does the district engage students to encourage school attendance? (Check all that apply.)

Prizes or incentives for good or improved attendance

Assemblies to celebrate good or improved attendance

Class parties

Information about importance of daily attendance

Free homework passes

Messaging through extracurriculars and after/before-school programs

Student-directed classroom activities

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Please rank the following reasons for student absenteeism based on their importance (#1 is most important):

Student choice (e.g., traditional "unexcused" absences)

Health

Weather

Lack of knowledge of importance of daily attendance

Student safety

Student transportation

Nontraditional family schedules (e.g., night shifts)

Family poverty

Other reasons

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* 13. Have you heard of "Attendance Works?"

Yes

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* 14. If you answered "Yes" to Question 13, have you:

Only been to its website?

Been to its website and used materials?

Contacted Attendance Works staff for assistance?

Other (please specify)

School District Practices on Student Absenteeism

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* 1. Please complete the following district/staff information

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* 2. What is your job title at the district?

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* 3. How does your district define "chronic absenteeism"?

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* 4. In the 2015-16 school year, our district reviewed student absentee data:

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* 5. In the 2015-16 school year, our district reviewed student absentee data by (check all that apply):

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* 6. Overall district absentee data is shared with (check all that apply):

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* 7. School-level student absentee data is shared with (check all that apply):

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* 8. How does the district identify causes of excessive student absences? (Check all that apply.)

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* 9. How has the district responded to the causes of student absences, once identified? (Check all that apply.)

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* 10. How does the district engage parents to encourage school attendance? (Check all that apply)

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* 11. How does the district engage students to encourage school attendance? (Check all that apply.)

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* 12. Please rank the following reasons for student absenteeism based on their importance (#1 is most important):

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* 13. Have you heard of "Attendance Works?"

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* 14. If you answered "Yes" to Question 13, have you:

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* 15. Please describe any additional steps your district or a district school has taken to reduce excessive student absences:

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* 16. If there is anything additional you wish to add: