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Meeting Date:
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12/18/2020 - 7:00 PM
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Category:
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Accountability and Research
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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Q1 Chronic Absenteeism and Student Grade Distribution
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ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
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Goal 2: Instructional Excellence ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction. Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning.
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Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
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File Attachment:
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Agenda Item Summary:
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An analysis of Quarter 1 data on chronic absenteeism and student grade distribution was conducted, showing increases in both chronic absenteeism and secondary students receiving grades of F. Chronic absenteeism increases were driven by high absenteeism on asynchronous learning days (Monday) with synchronous learning days (Tuesday through Friday) attendance up two percentage points from last year. Higher rates of absenteeism and increases in grades of F at the secondary level disproportionately impacted Hispanic, Black, English Learner (EL), and Students with Disabilities (SWD) students.
Our teaching, learning and leadership teams met during Quarter 1 to make refinements to the virtual schedule for students incorporating additional time for student support regarding social, emotional, and academic needs. These refinements included movement breaks, one on one sessions, and small group sessions as well as utilizing our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) services for students experiencing social, emotional, and/or academic challenges. During Quarter 1, our technology team worked collaboratively with our schools and families to ensure all students had the necessary technology devices and internet access during the first 4-6 weeks of Virtual PLUS+ learning to improve our student engagement experiences and remove any barriers of student learning.
The school division will conduct a comparative analysis at the end of Quarter 2 which will permit progress monitoring for the first semester of the 2020-21 academic year. This comparative analysis data will be highly informative in determining the impact of the strategies implemented to improve student outcomes.
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Background:
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Nationally, the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the continuity of learning and social-emotional development opportunities for students in schools has crossed all race, gender, ability, and socio-economic and regional demographics. The impact on learning loss is compounded for students with learning challenges associated with special needs, limited English proficiency and other risk factors.
Students experienced significant interruptions in learning as schools implemented virtual learning strategies to complete the 2019-20 academic year. As schools prepared to reopen for the new school year, the persistence of the pandemic's critical health and safety concerns required schools to design innovative, standards-aligned instructional models for students while prioritizing teachers' health, safety, and families.
In the Fall of 2020, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) launched the Virtual PLUS+ model. This brief discusses high-level key findings, refinements, adjustments and action steps regarding Quarter 1 chronic absenteeism and student grade distributions that started in Quarter 2 of the 2020-21 academic year.
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Recommendation:
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The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the brief and attached analyses for an understanding of first quarter chronic absenteeism and student grade distribution data.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent
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