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July 12, 2012 Food for Thought Presentation:
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E3 Alliance Food for Thought:
The Central Texas Attendance Challenge July 17, 2012
What we’ll talk about today
• Alarming data and research about student absences in Central Texas
• Share attendance improvement key learnings from Central Texas school districts
• Hear what students say about chronic absences
• Announce a cutting-edge attendance campaign
• Get your feedback and answer your questions!
Data Analysis, Focus Groups, Collaborative Design and Logic Modeling
Supported by:
WHAT DOES THE DATA TELL US ABOUT ABSENCES IN OUR REGION?
Amy Wiseman, Ph.D., E3 Alliance Sr. Research Associate
Overview
• Absences: Who, what, where, when and how many
• Academic outcomes that correlate with poor attendance
• What we can do about it
What do we Mean by Absences?
• Student not at school when attendance taken
• Does not matter if excused or unexcused
– School loses funding for that student that day
• Exceptions:
– At school board sanctioned activity
– At Doctor’s appointment with note
– About 10 additional reasons
• Chronic absenteeism: miss 10% or more days
Source: Texas Education Code © 2012 E3 Alliance
? Absences in Central Texas per
Year
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center; 2010-2011 school year. © 2012 E3 Alliance
2.4 Million Absences in Central Texas per
Year
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center; 2010-2011 school year. © 2012 E3 Alliance
Half of Central Texas Students Miss Six or More Class Days per Year
Percentage of Students
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center.
5 or Fewer
Missed Days
6 or More
Missed Days
© 2012 E3 Alliance
5 or Fewer
Missed Days
6 or More
Missed Days
85% of Absences
15%
Percentage of Students Percentage of Absences
But Account for 85% of all Absences
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center. © 2012 E3 Alliance
The Fewest Absences are in Grades 3 to 5
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center. © 2012 E3 Alliance
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
KG 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Grade
Absences in Central Texas 2009-10
Central Texas
Texas
Central Texas has More Absences than Texas on Average
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center. © 2012 E3 Alliance
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
KG 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Grade
Absences in 2009-10
Central Texas
Texas
High School Students Miss More than Two Weeks
6.6 7.4
11.3
0
5
10
15
Elementary School Middle School High School
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Days Absent in Central Texas in 2009-10
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center. © 2012 E3 Alliance
The Jump in Absences Happens Between 8th and 9th Grade
7 8
8
11 10
11
14
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Grade
Absences in Central Texas, 2009-2010
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center. © 2012 E3 Alliance
3 Days
More
Areas of Austin ISD with the Most Middle School Absences Primarily East of I35
Source: Children’s Optimal Health
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Chronic Absenteeism in High School Spread Across Much of District
Source: Children’s Optimal Health
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Student with Lowest Income Miss Most Days
9 11
15
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Non-low Income Reduced Price Lunch Free Lunch
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Absences Central Texas High Schools, 2009-10
© 2012 E3 Alliance Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center.
Asian Students Miss Fewest Days of School
6
13 14
9
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Asian Black Hispanic White
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Absences Central Texas High Schools, 2009-10
© 2012 E3 Alliance Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center.
Poorest Students Have Six Additional Absences on Average
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center.
5 6 7
10 10
16
12 11
16
8
11
15
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Non-Low Income Reduced Price Lunch Free Lunch
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Absences Central Texas High Schools, 2009-10
Asian Black Hispanic White
© 2012 E3 Alliance
WHAT OUTCOMES CORRELATE WITH POOR ATTENDANCE?
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Grade 9 Retention is Dramatic
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
PK KG Gr1 Gr2 Gr3 Gr4 Gr5 Gr6 Gr7 Gr8 Gr9 Gr10 Gr11 Gr12
Stu
den
t En
rollm
ent
2010-11 Central Texas Students
9th Grade Bubble
© 2012 E3 Alliance Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center.
Grade 9 Retention is Dramatic
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
PK KG Gr1 Gr2 Gr3 Gr4 Gr5 Gr6 Gr7 Gr8 Gr9 Gr10 Gr11 Gr12
Stu
den
t En
rollm
ent
2010-11 Central Texas Students
Retained Students
© 2012 E3 Alliance Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center.
Retained Students had Four Times More Absences
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center; First time 9th graders in 2006-7
24
6
0
5
10
15
20
25
Retained in 9th Promoted to 10th
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Status in Next School Year
Absences for First Time 9th Graders
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Only 17% of Retained Freshmen Passed TAKS Math
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Retained in 9th Promoted to 10th
Perc
en
tage
Pas
sin
g TA
KS
Status in Next School Year
TAKS Math Passing Rate
57-point difference
17%
74%
© 2012 E3 Alliance Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center; First time 9th graders in 2006-7
Students Retained in 9th Grade 10X More Likely to Drop Out
18.3%
1.7%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20%
Retained in 9th Promoted to 10th
Perc
enta
ge o
f 9
th G
rad
e C
oh
ort
Status in Next School Year
Percentage of Cohort that Dropped Out
10X Difference
© 2012 E3 Alliance Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center; First time 9th graders in 2006-7
10% of First Time Freshmen are Retained
Retained in 9th 10%
Promoted to 10th
90%
2007-8 Student status
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center. © 2012 E3 Alliance
The 10% Retained 9th Graders Account for Half of Dropouts
Retained in 9th 10%
Promoted to 10th
90%
2007-8 Student status
Retained in 9th 49%
Promoted to 10th
51%
Dropouts by retention status
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center. © 2012 E3 Alliance
Absences and 9th Grade Retention
Correspond to Dropping Out
22
6
33
14
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Retained in 9th Promoted to 10th
Ave
rage
Day
s A
bse
nt
Status in Next School Year
Absences During Grade 9
Not dropout
Dropout
© 2012 E3 Alliance Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center; First time 9th graders in 2006-7
3 DAYS =
$34 MILLION
WHAT CAN WE DO TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE?
National Literature Review Shows Patterns but Little Evidence
• School based, clinic/community based and court based interventions somewhat effective
– But do not differ in overall effectiveness
• Student based behavioral strategies effective
– Contracting, incentives, social skills training
– Even more effective with parent training
• School based attendance groups also effective
• Mentoring and family therapy not very effective
Source: Maynard et al. (2011) Meta-analysis of interventions to increase school attendance © 2012 E3 Alliance
Need to Know the ‘Why’ on Absences
• Broad categories of absences (Balfanz & Byrnes, 2012)
– Can’t – illness or other responsibilities
– Don’t – school refusers often due to bullying
– Won’t – skipping
• Need to know the ‘Why’ in Central Texas
– Working on getting absence reason codes from partner school districts
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Future Research and Analysis
• Reason Code analysis – Specific reason code frequency and pattern
– Mapped to programs or interventions we control
• Regional mapping of hotspots by Children’s Optimal Health
• Longitudinal Tracking of absences
• Relationship between student and teacher absenteeism
• Working with partners to obtain funding
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Launching Attendance Campaign Based on Data
• Worst attendance in High School
• Jump in absences between 8th and 9th grade
• No gender differences in attendance
• Targeting all children in 7th through 10th grades
– Begins before jump in absences and continues through High School when easier to influence
© 2012 E3 Alliance
CONVERSATION AND QUESTIONS
IMPROVING STUDENT ATTENDANCE: WHAT CAN WE DO?
Rick L’Amie, Director of Communications, E3 Alliance
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Background
• Central Texas superintendents chose increased attendance as #1 way community and funders could assist districts: 1. “Triple Bottom Line” benefit:
• Students can learn when in class
• Teachers have more time to teach
• Increased revenue to districts
2. Unlike teacher quality or curriculum, communities can directly contribute to student and district success
• E3 Alliance spearheading regional approach to increase attendance
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Vicious or Virtuous Cycle?
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Student
Absences
Poor
Academic
Achievement
Low income
Shorter lifespan
Unhealthy behavior
FOCUSING ON ATTENDANCE: KEY LEARNINGS
Inventory of Local Districts (ongoing)
• Leander: Hope Committee
– 5 consecutive days absent at any grade triggers response by district “Hope Committee”
– Adults problem solve with student to stay in school
• Austin: Multi-faceted investigation
– Working through ACCESS project
– Elementary: Families move & don’t re-enroll
– Secondary: Students work to support families & what that actually means!
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Pflugerville Attendance Effort • Started in Fall 2011; informed by H-E-B ISD program
• Central message & outreach: Attendance: It Counts!
– Posters + magnets + messages on campus & district mail
– Tied-in funding message: 1% gain gets us over $1M!
• Two full-time attendance outreach coordinators
– Identify students, notify parents, home visits, family interventions, truancy court
– On site @ each MS & HS campus 1 day/week
• Consolidated 3 truancy courts to 1 (Judge Bass)
• Major take-aways:
© 2012 E3 Alliance
− Follow-through creates community buzz
− Relationships are crucial
Pflugerville Attendance Effort • Started in Fall 2011; informed by H-E-B ISD program
• Central message & outreach: Attendance: It Counts!
– Posters + magnets + messages on campus & district mail
– Tied-in funding message: 1% gain gets us over $1M!
• Two full-time attendance outreach coordinators
– Identify students, notify parents, home visits, family interventions, truancy court
– On site @ each MS & HS campus 1 day/week
• Consolidated 3 truancy courts to 1 (Judge Bass)
• Major take-aways:
© 2012 E3 Alliance
− Follow-through creates community buzz
− Relationships are crucial
District Attendance Survey
• Approximately 2/3 of respondents have done some kind of attendance campaign in the last six years
• The main messages of attendance campaigns: – Student Success is Directly Related to Student Attendance
– District Funding is Directly Related to Student Attendance
• Campaigns included: – Parent communications, campus data collection, community “sweeps”
for missing students, home visits, hiring of attendance specialists, partnerships with courts, robocalls, etc.
Most respondents felt that their campaign worked, but they do not have
the data to support it
Outcome:
Regional Attendance Insights
• Austin ISD – 6 days > mobility
• Leander ISD – 10 days = dropouts
• Hays CISD – Reporting out absence data to campuses
• Del Valle ISD – Teacher absences = student absences
© 2012 E3 Alliance
CONVERSATION AND QUESTIONS
WHAT DO STUDENTS THINK?
Student Focus Groups
• E3 Alliance conducted student focus groups in Pflugerville middle and high school AVID classes and with rural and urban CIS high school students
• Asked about:
1. attendance awareness & attitudes
2. media/entertainment attitudes & opinions
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Student Focus Groups • CIS High School Students
– Think “skipping” is big problem
• Drags down class; material has to be repeated
• Being in class creates responsible job habits
• Need education to get a job
– Why do kids miss school?
• Bad influences, hang with a bad crowd
• No positive pressure at home to attend
• Classes too long, boring
• Have to work
• Care for family
• Transportation not the cause
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Student Focus Groups
• CIS High School Students
– Think a campaign might help increase attendance
• Has to be relevant; not stupid
• Robocalls might work – Celebrities/singers – hip hop
– Not athletes
• Incentives would work – Concerts
– Food
• Peer pressure would work
• Posters & contests wouldn’t work
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Student Focus Groups
• Pflugerville AVID High School Students
– Aware that chronic absences are a problem
• Schools don’t get paid if kids go missing
• That means extra curricular, specialty courses might get cut
– Attending school is important
• Learn, get an education
• Make more money; be successful
• Won’t be able to go to college if you skip school and drop out
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Student Focus Groups
• Pflugerville AVID High School Students
– What would work to increase attendance?
• Day care on campus
• Announcements
• Music/rap contests
• Group discussions
• Incentives: food, music
• Celebrity calls probably wouldn’t work
© 2012 E3 Alliance
Student Focus Groups
• Pflugerville AVID Middle School Students
– Aware that chronic attendance is a problem
– Causes include
• Bullying
• Good excuse to turn in late assignments
• Care for sick family members
• Have to work
• Peer pressure
– More open to traditional school outreach
© 2012 E3 Alliance
WHAT’S THE PLAN?
A Two-Pronged Approach
School,
Systems
Changes
Community
Outreach
Healthcare
resources & access
for students
Changes in school
and district
systems
Broad awareness &
education outreach
Targeted attendance
campaign to
adolescents &
parents
• Target “low hanging fruit”
• Thru business & partners
• Print media, op eds
• 3 Days = $34M!!
• Target 7th-10th graders & parents
• Relevant, targeted messages
• Radio, billboards, social media
• Tied to events, robocalls
• TBD based on reason codes,
Lit reviews, local data:
incentives, engaged teaching,
hired attendance staff, etc.
• TBD based on reason codes,
Access to partners
Leverage RWJF grant
1
2
3
4
© 2012 E3 Alliance
A 7-week challenge to improve attendance rates and motivate students
…using a mix of sizzle and substance
Targeted Attendance Campaign
• Partnerhips
– Incite “social impact marketing” unit of Emmis Communications
• KLBJ AM/FM, BOB FM, “La Z” 107.1, 101X, KGSR, Comedy
– Get Schooled • National not for profit with successful track record
– E3 Alliance and Member school districts
• AISD, Bastrop, Del Valle, Hays, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos
Incite Targeted Attendance Campaign
• Audiences
– Students in 7-10 grades
– Parents of at-risk students
– Educators (School leadership, teachers, guidance counselors, etc.)
– Community at-large (businesses, government entities, influencers, etc.)
Targeted Attendance Campaign
Goals – Elevate awareness about the importance of attendance
among participating middle and high school students, teachers and parents
– Improve attendance and inspire student engagement in the participating middle and high schools
– Connect with new and existing community based partnerships aimed at boosting attendance across the Central Texas community
SIZZLE So how does it work?
Activations and Attendance = Winner
• Wake Up Calls
• Nominate an Inspiring Teacher
• On the Hunt
• iPlay
Activations and Attendance = Winner
• Students earn points each time they participate in an activation
• Motivated by incentives, internal activities
• “Winning” school will be determined based on engagement points and attendance gains
– Regional
– National
Fall 2011 Attendance Challenge
17 states represented
88 schools participating
90,000 students involved
Attendance Challenge Timeline
• Phase One: July - August
– Coordinate with districts and campuses
– Incite to coordinate media buys/sponsor
– Facilitate broad awareness outreach partnerships
• Phase Two: August - October
– Aug 27 – Create BUZZ: Wake up calls launch, early promotion
• Phase Three: Attendance Challenge
– Oct. 1 to Dec. 7 • Attendance Challenge
• Radio outreach and promotions
Attendance Challenge Timeline
• Phase Four: December- January
– December • Calculate scores
– December - January • Regional winner and events
• National winner and “prize”
CONVERSATION AND QUESTIONS
What’s Next?
• Campaign is just the beginning
• More research & analysis needed
• Collaboration around best practices in schools, justice and health infrastructure
Need community & corporate support behind campaign & media outreach
• Ultimate goals:
Improved student performance
Increased financial support to schools
THIRD GRADE READING: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER FOR SUCCESS
The Next Food For Thought: Wed. Sept. 19