How one district is winning the attendance battle
A New Jersey school district that has long struggled with chronic absenteeism — and has been under control of the state school board — is seeing gains after implementing various tactics, including its “Give me Five” campaign. The program, started by Superintendent Roger Leon, involves having each district employee call families of five students to encourage them to attend the first day of school.
Full Story: Chalkbeat
Battling chronic absenteeism needs a dual approach
Removing obstacles to get students in the door is only the first step to combating chronic absenteeism, according to the National School Climate Center. Maurice Elias writes in this article about the first step and shares that creating a welcoming environment that inspires, supports, respects and engages students is the next step.
Full Story: Edutopia online
Experts debate graduation-rate trends
A report on national high-school graduation rates, “Building a Grad Nation,” counters the argument that rising graduation rates are inflated. The report includes an index designed to show whether increased graduation rates are supported by improved achievement, but graduation-rate skeptics call this index flawed.
Full Story: Education Week (tiered subscription model)
Districts curb food delivery on campus
Some school districts nationwide are limiting students’ use of food-delivery services, including Uber Eats and DoorDash, citing concerns over safety and nutrition. School leaders also say that deliveries are disruptive to the school day.
Full Story: The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)
Social media, cellphone alerts stress students
Smartphone-driven social media is one of the main drivers of stress among students, research shows. Now, some schools are taking steps to help reduce students’ anxiety by engaging students in mindfulness activities, hiring outside firms to scan social media for signs students need additional support, and encouraging students to unplug.
Full Story: The Associated Press
Audrey Altmann is an editorial assistant at SmartBrief.
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