Attendance up across PTS

 

November 18, 2024

PHOENIX – The Phoenix-Talent School District has seen a noticeable uptick in the number of students who are attending school regularly compared to a year ago, according to the latest school attendance data, a positive sign that targeted efforts to combat chronic absenteeism districtwide are having a positive impact.

According to the latest numbers, 72.4% of students in PTS are considered regular attenders – regular attendance is defined as having an attendance rate of 90% or higher. That represents a five-point increase from a year ago, when 67% of PTS students attended school regularly.

"That's a significant increase in instructional time for those kids so we're excited about that," said Aaron Santi, Phoenix-Talent SD's Administrator of Magnet Programs, Assessment, and Evaluation.

Talent Elementary (81.7%), Phoenix-Talent Rising Academy (81.5%) and Phoenix Elementary (80.5%) lead the district in regular attendance percentage so far this school year. Like other districts throughout the country, PTS is waging an aggressive campaign in an effort to increase the number of regular attenders after a downward slide that was only exacerbated by the pandemic. The push has included family engagement events which have emphasized the importance of regular attendance, check-in phone calls and emails and even home visits. PTS staff are also educating families who are unsure when their child is too sick to attend school (click here to view a printable guide).

This year PTS is adding a new slogan to the campaign, "Rise and Shine: Every Day Matters," and is stressing to parents that when children and teens regularly attend school in person, they’re more likely to develop their whole selves – personally, socially, academically, and emotionally.

"Our staff has been working so hard to get those attendance numbers up and their efforts appear to be paying off, which is wonderful," PTS superintendent Brent Barry said. "We still have a long way to go to reach our goal of 85% (districtwide regular attenders), but the data shows that we are definitely headed in the right direction and that is a great sign. But even after we surpass our goal we'll keep delivering that message because it's so true and so important – every day really does matter."

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If you are experiencing challenges that are making it difficult for your child to attend school regularly, please reach out to your teacher, your school's main office or one of our community care specialists. Monique Strain, the executive assistant of equity and community care, can be reached at monique.strain@phoenix.k12.or.us.