ATTENDANCE AND CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

South Orangetown CSD has been actively engaged in work to identify support and provide targeted assistance to students who have been chronically absent or show patterns that would lead to being identified as chronically absent. Each school-based team has goals and actions identified to decrease the number of chronically absent students overall and within specific sub-groups. When developing the plan to monitor attendance, the following was considered:

• Most efficient way to monitor attendance
• Use of existing technology for ease of use with parents, students, and staff
• Assignment of staff to monitor absenteeism
• Ways to gather engagement data vs. attendance data

Attendance for Instructional Purposes

South Orangetown has developed a specific mechanism to collect daily student attendance while using a hybrid model or if required to go virtual. Teachers will be taking attendance of those physically present in the classroom as well as those participating in the virtual class. This attendance record will be entered into the student management system on a daily basis. All four schools have identified what teacher will be responsible for this data collection. There will also be an assigned clerical at every building to support this work.

Attendance for Reporting & State Aid Purposes

With the mechanisms in place, we are positioned to gather all required attendance data that must be reported in the student information reporting system or SIRS.

Chronic Absenteeism

South Orangetown has had in place staff and protocols to address students with chronic absenteeism. Key staff members of the PPS staff including Prevention Counselors and Social Workers are identified to provide case management.

Educational Neglect

We have a strong partnership with Rockland County Department of Child Welfare, The Rockland County for Safe Youth and when necessary can access the Rockland Family Court for PINS applications. Our team has strong relationships with our families and takes seriously the mandates to report educational neglect. All matters are kept confidential and follow all legal protocols.

Additional Resources

Chronic Absenteeism in Our Nation’s Schools