Because the state continues to battle again the pandemic-era spike of power absenteeism in colleges, state and metropolis leaders stopped by East Boston’s Hugh Roe O’Donnell Elementary College on Monday to acknowledge the college’s success getting youngsters again at school with a signed Celtics basketball.
“What a positive way to start the new school year – taking a moment to celebrate these 10 schools for doing the hard work and drastically reducing chronic absenteeism rates in such a short period of time,” stated Gov. Maura Healey on the faculty. “We know how important school attendance is for learning, socialization, access to healthy food and so much more.”
The Healey-Driscoll administration has visited and delivered the golden basketballs to an inventory of 10 “2024 Attendance All-Stars schools,” which had the very best drops of power absenteeism between 2023 and 2024.
Persistent absenteeism is outlined by lacking a minimum of 10% of the college yr or 18 days in a yr for any cause, excused or unexcused.
The Attendance All-Stars faculty averaged a 19% drop in power absenteeism between March 2023 and March 2024, in response to state schooling knowledge. The O’Donnell Elementary faculty was the one BPS faculty acknowledged, with a 18.7% drop.
Persistent absenteeism within the state dropped 5% general from 24.5% in March 2023 to 19.6% in March 2024, DESE said. That can be an almost 10 proportion level lower from March 2022.
The quantity stays larger than the pre-pandemic low of 13% throughout Massachusetts faculty in 2019, state officers stated in a launch of attendance knowledge final yr. Statewide, power absenteeism peaked at just below 30% in 2021-2022.
State and native officers famous the exhausting work at each stage that goes into lowering power absenteeism, from academics and households individually supporting in danger college students to state sources.
“We know we have a way to go, but I am encouraged by the positive steps forward and the dedication of teachers, counselors, school leadership, families and so many more bringing joy to going to school,” stated Secretary of Schooling Patrick Tutwiler.
Schooling officers famous the current “Your Presence is Powerful” marketing campaign, asking college students, educators and others to submit why they attend faculty via art work, writing or different artistic strategies by December.
“Schools cannot do this work alone,” stated O’Donnell Principal Emily Sproviero. “Every O’Donnell community member has contributed to our progress. We look forward to continuing to work together to build on our shared success.”
Different colleges acknowledged included Royalston Group College in Athol-Royalston, Bryn Mawr Elementary College in Auburn Public Faculties, Pakachoag Elementary College in Auburn, Lillie B. Merrill Elementary College in Raynham, James Tansey Elementary College in Fall River, MLK Jr. Constitution College of Excellence in Springfield, Colegrove Park Elementary College, North Adams, Shutesbury Elementary College in Shutesbury, and Anne T. Dunphy College in Williamsburg.
