More than half of Battle Creek Public Schools students were chronically absent last year

Noe Hernandez | Battle Creek Enquirer

Student absences marred an otherwise stellar first year of the Battle Creek Public Schools' $51 million transformation, according to a year-end transformation report.

Superintendent Kim Carter reported Monday that 1,047 students, or a little more than 25% of the student body, missed more than 20 days of school in the first eight months of the just-completed school year.

More than 50% of the student body, 2,062 students, missed two weeks or more during the same time period, Carter said in a presentation to Board of Education members.

"Student attendance remains a very significant issue for us ," said Carter, who did not provide student attendance data for May and June. "Results show that students who attend more days of school do better academically.

"We know this, which goes back to why chronic absenteeism has to be a focus," she added. "It is high in Battle Creek Public Schools and is certainly a barrier to learning. We have got to do better with chronic absenteeism."

Lakeview schools, in comparison, had a little more than 500 cases of chronic absenteeism, or around 12% of its student body, in the 2016-17 school year. Harper Creek schools, meanwhile, had just under 300, or around 9%, that same year, according to the most recent data in MI School Data.

In explaining the possible reasons for student absenteeism, Carter said BCPS serves a vulnerable community with students who are grappling with poverty and housing issues.

The Michigan Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10 days or more of school a year.

Chronic absenteeism impacts how involved a student feels in school, said Aimee Alaniz, supervisor of health and safety unit for MDE. Students who miss school often, she said, "lose that sense of connectedness to the school if they’re not involved on a regular basis."

"Chronically-absent students are at a greater risk for missing academic milestones, failing courses and not graduating on time," Alaniz said. "Obviously when students are not there they’re not learning the materials, so it makes it more difficult for them to catch up academically.

Carter said the district began working with Attendance Works last week to improve student attendance. BCPS is also planning more home visits, increasing communication and education with families around the importance of being in school and using attendance teams to tackle the issue.

Carter also mentioned that students who participated in the Kindergarten Success Program met growth targets and had better attendance rates than those who did not attend the program.

During her presentation, Carter highlighted a number of district academic improvements this school year, including gains in student achievement in math and reading, especially in the early elementary grades.

She praised Dudley STEM School, Post-Franklin Elementary School and Lamora Park Elementary Schools for their high scores in math and reading.

"Great things are happening at Battle Creek Public Schools," she said. "We have set the stage for long-lasting sustainable change and that is only as a result of the hard work and dedication of the staff."

Contact Battle Creek Enquirer reporter Noe Hernandez at 269-966--0684 or nhernandez@battlecreekenquirer.com.