© E 3 Alliance, 2013

Hidden Slide - Stop Here. Quiz the audience and make them guess: How many absences do we have each year in Central Texas, across all students and all schools?

© E 3 Alliance, Million Student Absences in Central Texas per Year Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center; school year.

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Central Texas Has More Absences Than Texas on Average at Every Grade Source: E 3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at the UT Austin Education Research Center +3 days

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 ½ Central Texas Students Miss 6+ Days/Year & Account for 85% of all Absences Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data from at UT Education Research Center

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 History –Following state funding cuts in 2011, E3 Alliance asked superintendents, “How can our community help?” –The resounding answer: a regional attendance campaign –So we launched Missing School Matters –E3 Alliance calculated a 2% increase in attendance per year would generate $34 million annually for schools Because schools are reimbursed by the State for daily attendance 6

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 History & Facts –In Spring 2012, we launched a regional outreach campaign, primarily through large employers –In Fall 2012, a national in-school attendance challenge called “Get Schooled” was initiated in our schools –5 Central Texas schools were in the top 25 nationwide! Stony Point HS, Leander HS, Covington MS, Garcia MS, Simon MS –Now, the MSM Task Force is expanding the attendance initiative with a general awareness campaign 7

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Our Goal: Increase student attendance by 2 percentage points (average 3 days/student) 34 MILLION $ MORE STUDENTS ACHIEVE

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Insert slide 21 if you want to discuss targeted efforts based on absence reasons study OR slides on absence reasons (if longer presentation presented jointly with Amy Wiseman)

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Our Message to Parents and Families

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 MISS SCHOOL. MISS OUT. When your son or daughter misses a day at school, they’re missing out on a lot more than classes or homework. They’re missing opportunities. Opportunities to learn. To gain confidence. To be inspired. To be a friend. To experience a moment that may have a positive impact.

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 But that’s not all. They’ll also start to miss out on things like teachers, electives, sports programs and arts education. Because every year, school absences cost Central Texas $34 million in lost revenue. That $34 million translates into 600 teachers or equipping 17,000 Central Texas science classrooms with lab equipment and supplies.

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 What Can YOU Do? Keep your own child in school unless they are contagious Request a speaker from us for your next meeting –  Take this message to your PTA, your HOA, your clubs. Let more people know that Missing School Matters! Put an article in your company newsletter Download a poster, and put it up at your business Post it on Facebook or Tweet our message Share the Attendance Parent Guide with friends Be a part of the solution! 14

© E 3 Alliance, Facebook.com/missingschoolmatters Twitter.com/missingmatters Resources

© E 3 Alliance, 2013

Thank You! The conclusions of this research do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official position of the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or the State of Texas.

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Missing School Matters Task Force

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Missing School Matters Taskforce Galvanize education champions to execute a focused awareness campaign –Outreach to parents, community groups –Spread the word that ‘Missing School Matters’ via strategic, measurable activities

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Task Force Accomplishments + Future Focus Outreach is growing –Round Rock ISD PTA Council –YMCA –Community Health Clinics/Doctors –Austin Police Dept. –Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club –And more… Spreading the word –Social media channels –E-newsletters –In-person meetings and presentations Still have work to do – We need you! –Spread the word

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Our Studies Show Where to Concentrate Efforts 7 th -10 th graders (transition to High School) For low income students, absences not due to illness Students with absences due to chronic illness Students with absences due to skipping Conclusions based on E3 Alliance analysis of absence reason data from 9 schools in PISD & HCISD, 1/14/13-3/8/13

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Why are students absent and what can we do about it?

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Absence Reasons Study  Which students miss school, where and why? First of its kind study in the state (maybe US?) Funded by St. David’s Foundation, Central Health Data to drive regional decision-making How health and community systems interact with student attendance and achievement Collected absence reasons for 2 months in Hays, Pflugerville Designed to be representative of regional population

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Top 10 Reasons for Absence: 72% of Absences Source: E3 Alliance analysis of absence data from 9 schools in PISD & HCISD, 1/14/13-3/8/13 (8124)

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Medical Absences More Variable Than Non-Medical Absences Over Time Source: E3 Alliance analysis of Absence data from 9 schools in PISD & HCISD, 1/14/13-3/8/13

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Low Income Students Have More than Their Share of Non-Medical Absences Source: E3 Alliance analysis of Absence data from 9 schools in PISD & HCISD, 1/14/13-3/8/13 % of Students who are Low Income

© E 3 Alliance, 2013 Overall Conclusions  Absence reasons to concentrate community services –Chronic illness –Skipping –Non-illness absences for low income students –7 th -10 th grade Nearly half of absences due to acute illness Amount of health related absences vary over time Amount of non-health related absences relatively consistent over time Geographical location of hotspots vary widely by absence reason