Community Involvement for Student Success

Our community is directly impacted by the level of academic achievement of students in our district. As families and businesses consider relocation, the school district is a primary focus.

The community and school must work together to promote a high value on education.

The high schools are currently rated by TEA as Academically Unacceptable.

This is a call for help to ensure Victoria is a community where education and businesses can flourish.

A Community Approach to Our Future

Students must complete a minimum of 26 credits to graduate. Of these, 16 are core requirements.

New TEA assessment standards require higher order thinking skills. Students are being taught and tested at a greater depth and level of cognitive complexity.

Student absenteeism significantly impairs the student’s ability to meet these standards.

What is expected of students?

2006-2007 Attendance Rate: 90.1%2007-2008 Attendance Rate: 89.1%2008-2009 Attendance Rate: 89.9%2009-2010 Attendance Rate: 90.6%2010-2011 Attendance Rate: 91.3%Approximately 3300 students are enrolled in

our high schools.On an average day, approximately 300

students are absent. One missed class is equivalent to two days on the block schedule.

Secondary Attendance

Attendance Comparison with Comparable High Schools

High level of poverty Pregnancy/teen parents High rate of student mobility Homelessness Family conflict Lack of parental support Unaccompanied youth Peer influences Drugs and alcohol Student employment hours Lack of transportation

Factors Contributing to Absenteeism

Learning/academic gapsStudent failure rate/state assessmentDrop-out rateFederal and state accountability District funding Increased opportunities for illegal activitiesLack of quality workforceEconomic health of the community

Impact of Absenteeism

Fall 2011

Parent Contact

Home Visits

Campus event

Attendance Incentives

Social Services Referrals

Warning Letters Issued

Statutory WarningsIssued

Cases Filed and Present to JP Court

Leavers Tracked

Total 825 259 15 12 277 756 200 88 144

Secondary Attendance

JanuaryTotal

323 54 3 2 86 62 122 60 1

*East and West High School Attendance Liaison Efforts

Teacher contacts Automated call system Written notification of absences Parent/student conferences Home visits Clothing/food/school supplies Truancy sweep/van Attendance contracts Statutory warnings Truancy court

Actions to Improve Attendance

Community and VISD mentorsAttendance incentivesCommunities In SchoolsSTAR Program/Gulf Bend ServicesMid-Coast Family ServicesKidz ConnectionFamily ConnectionDestiny ConsultingAVIDExtra-curricular/clubs/organizations

Support to Improve Attendance

“Our project would be wildly successful if everyone in the community felt a sense of obligation to help just one student.”

How can we best focus attention on education ?

By:Chris Cobler, Victoria Advocate Editor

What are your ideas on how we can work together to create a strong educational community?

What are your ideas for improving student attendance?

What is Victoria’s commitment to a more educated population?