Geneva Head Start - Presentation on Truancy / Absenteeism @ Success for Geneva's Children

1. Geneva Head Start/Pre-K
Attendance Works Initiative

2.  Previously, the standards around attendance required all
programs to maintain an Average Daily Attendance (ADA) of
85%.
 In the new Program Performance Standards, the National
Office of Head Start (NHSA) requires:
 Programs track each student’s individual attendance and strive
for 90%.
 Contact parents of all absent children within the first hour of
program if they have not already been contacted by the parent.
 Conduct a home visit if a student is absent two consecutive
days with no parent communication.
New Performance Standards

3.  Geneva Head Start/Pre-K has been tracking individual
student attendance for the past several years based on
data and recommendations from Attendance Works.
 COPA (our new data management system) will improve
our attendance tracking through:
 A report based on the new standards that automatically
generates lists of students who are approaching, or have
already reached, 10% absenteeism.
 Calculating missed instruction time (late arrivals/early
dismissals)
Attendance Tracking

4.  Staff discuss the importance of good attendance with parents
as early as the first meeting. All parents initial the attendance
clause included in their enrollment contract.
 Throughout the year and during any follow-up with parents,
we share data around attendance and use parent messaging
resources from Attendance Works with individual families and
on our Facebook page.
Consistent Parent Education

5.  After a child begins program, we engage in regular contact
with parents through daily phone calls, text messages, and
email. Attendance reports with notes are sent to parents
as soon as we begin to see concerning patterns.
 Contracts are established if a student’s absences continue
after we have reached out to the family, offered support,
and attempted to problem-solve.
 Students and parents are recognized monthly and receive
prizes for perfect attendance.
Follow-up