On Saturday morning, leaders from Bend-La Pine Schools and state officials, including Governor Tina Kotek, reached out to families to celebrate their children’s improved school attendance. The calls were part of a concerted effort to combat declining attendance rates, which fell from 79% in the 2018-19 school year to 67% by the 2023-24 school year, according to data from the Oregon Department of Education.
Community Efforts to Encourage Attendance
The outreach event took place at Silver Rail Elementary School’s media center, where officials aimed to contact 1,500 families. Accompanying Kotek were Charlene Williams, the director of the Oregon Department of Education, and local school district leaders, including Superintendent Steve Cook and board member Amy Tatom. Community organizations such as Better Together Central Oregon and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bend also participated.
Kotek expressed optimism about the positive impact of regular attendance on students’ educational experience. “When students are here on a regular basis, they’re finding more joy, they’re engaged more with their classmates, and they’re hitting those marks we want them to hit,” she stated. This focus on attendance has become increasingly important due to rising concerns about chronic absenteeism, defined as missing more than 10% of school days.
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
According to Eric Powell, Director of Student Services, chronic absenteeism had decreased to approximately 25% in the past school year. The Oregon Department of Education has invested nearly $7 million in its Every Day Matters initiative, which addresses the underlying causes of absenteeism. Powell noted that the department has improved its data systems to monitor student attendance more effectively and to provide timely support.
During the calls, many parents expressed relief and happiness regarding their children’s attendance improvement. One parent, reached while attending a soccer game, celebrated their child’s recent goal. “We’re just trying to double down on ‘What resources do you need? What does your child need support with? And how can we help you?’” Powell added, highlighting the proactive measures being taken.
Superintendent Cook acknowledged the challenges faced in maintaining consistent attendance but noted a shift in sentiment among parents. “The optimism from the parents is what I’m really hearing today, that they’re feeling good about the way the school year’s going,” he said. “We know that we can make a difference if kids show up.”
In addition to phone calls, a group of around 20 volunteers wrote postcards to families, congratulating them on their attendance achievements. Among them, Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Bend) actively participated, expressing her commitment to promoting positive attendance.
September was designated as Attendance Awareness Month, coinciding with new metrics implemented by the Oregon Department of Education as part of the recent Education Accountability Act. Liz Merah, a communications administrator with the department, noted that Bend-La Pine Schools showed improvement, particularly among students at Juniper Elementary, where 76.4% of students attended regularly during the current school year.
As the education community rallies to enhance student attendance, the emphasis remains on engagement with families and the importance of building supportive environments for students. The collaborative efforts of local leaders, educators, and community organizations are key to reversing the attendance decline and fostering a more engaged student body.
