1. Attendance and Absenteeism in MA
Symposium on Attendance and Absenteeism
August 7, 2018

2. Poor attendance is prevalent, and not just in high school
Takeaways
Poor attendance is prevalent, and not just in high school
Missing school matters
Absenteeism is an important early warning signal

3. Poor attendance is prevalent, and not just in high school
The typical MA student misses 9 days of school (5%) each year

4. Chronic absenteeism is also common
13% of MA students miss 10% or more days of school (18+ days)

5. Chronically absent students are disproportionately high needs

6. Missing school matters for MCAS scores
The typical CA student scored at the 31st percentile
The typical non-CA student scored at the 54th percentile
Difference of 23 percentile points

7. More evidence from winter weather absences
MCAS math scores drop by one scaled score point per day missed due to moderately bad winter weather
Causal impact, not just correlation
Impact is smaller in ELA
No impact for severe weather
Goodman 2014:

8. Missing school matters for on-time graduation rates
In 2017, 97% of students never chronically absent in high school graduated on time
Compared to 82% of students who were chronically absent at least one year in high school

9. Absenteeism is an important early warning signal
Why is this child missing school?
Address root causes: Tools and interventions

10. Chief Strategy and Research Officer
Thank you
Thank you!
Carrie Conaway
Chief Strategy and Research Officer
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
@maschoolsk12

11. EWIS: Predicting future academic outcomes
Model
Grade Level Groupings
Academic Milestones
State Results 
K-12 Milestones
Grades 1-3
Reading by the end of third grade
Reaching proficiency or higher on 3rd grade ELA State Assessment
60%
Grades 4-6
Middle school ready
Reaching proficiency or higher on 6th grade ELA and math State Assessments
55%
Grades 7-9
High school ready
Passing grades on all 9th grade courses
79%
Grades
10-12
High school graduation
Meeting all local and state graduation requirements
87%
Postsecondary Milestones
College Enrollment
Enrolling in postsecondary education
76%
Academic Readiness
Enrolling in credit-bearing courses without developmental education
65%
College Persistence
Persisting in second year of postsecondary education
86%

12. What is an EWIS Report

13. What is an EWIS Report

14. Using EWIS and other data

15. New: Attendance & Suspension Report
Coming this fall!
DRAFT
DRAFT

16. New: Monitoring Tool
Coming this fall!

17. New: Monitoring Tool
Coming this fall!