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By Dr. Joey Page

Austin Public Schools Superintendent

As the superintendent of Austin Public Schools (APS), I am committed to ensuring that every student in our district has the opportunity and support they need to succeed. Today, I want to emphasize one of the most critical – yet often overlooked – factors affecting student success: attendance.

There is a clear link between school attendance and academic achievement. Students who maintain attendance above 90% are more likely to have higher grades, perform better on tests, and graduate on time. These accomplishments are not just boxes to be checked. Instead, they are stepping stones for future success, whether attending college, training for a technical vocation, or entering the workforce.

Did You Know?

• AHS students in attendance ≥ 90% of the time in 23-24 have an average GPA of 3.037, compared to students in attendance < 70% having an average GPA of 0.827.

• AHS students in attendance ≥ 90% of the time earned on average 6.45 credits for 23-24, compared to students in attendance < 80% having earned an average of 3.02 credits

• AHS Gr.11 students in attendance ≥ 90% score on average over 4 composite points higher on the ACT than students in attendance < 80%.

• APS Gr.03 students in attendance ≥ 90% score on average over 12 scale score points higher on the MN MCA Reading assessment than students in attendance < 80%.

• APS Gr.08 students in attendance ≥ 90% score on average over 11 scale score points higher on the MN MCA Mathematics assessment than students in attendance < 80%.

During the 2022-2023 school year, 32.9% of APS students were chronically absent, meaning they were absent greater than 10% of the time. This level of absenteeism can profoundly affect student achievement.

When students attend school consistently, they engage more deeply in academics and build meaningful relationships with teachers and peers while participating in activities that shape their sense of identity and what inspires them. Missing school means missing out on these opportunities, and chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days) makes it much harder for students to catch up.

To reduce absenteeism, our staff is partnering closely with families and caregivers of students who are consistently absent to create individualized attendance plans that address the root causes, like transportation, housing instability, medical needs, mental health challenges, or other barriers. APS has partnerships with community organizations that can help, and we are here to provide guidance and support for our students and their families along the way.

Thankfully, we’re making progress. In 2023, the North Star Accountability Report showed that APS’s consistent attendance rates increased from 61.5% to 67.1%. This means more students attended over 90% of the days they were enrolled. While I’m proud of this improvement, we still have work to raise attendance further and ensure every student stays on track for success.

Undoubtedly, strong connections play a crucial role in improving attendance. When students feel safe, valued, and supported in school, they are more likely to attend and participate. At APS, we believe that fostering strong connections to school and learning starts with showing up. By working together, we can ensure that every child has the chance to excel, both in the classroom and beyond.