Washington Unified School District - Attendance Awareness

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Attendance Awareness

Be Here! Don't Skip Out on Success
About

In 2021, the Washington Unified School District (WUSD) began work on its innovative attendance awareness campaign, "Be Here! Don't Skip Out on Success." This campaign addresses chronic absenteeism by celebrating multiculturalism, positive individual experiences, and fostering lifelong learning.

In response to a significant decline in attendance rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, WUSD embarked on a collaborative effort involving the district communications team, educational services teams, and school administrators. Grounded in the voices of students, teachers, and staff, this campaign champions the importance of regular attendance and readiness for learning.

Utilizing diverse creative elements and digital platforms, including motion graphics, animated text, and captivating video stories, "Be Here!" delivers its message effectively to individual school communities and the broader district audience. Strategic planning ensured multilingual communication and engagement across all demographics, focusing on positive reinforcement rather than punitive measures.

2024 California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award

Be Here! Don't Skip Out on Success
2024 California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award

WUSD is proud to be a 2024 California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award recipient for its districtwide student attendance and re-engagement strategies. The honor recognizes WUSD’s “Be Here! Don’t Skip Out on Success” campaign and its collaborative, data-informed approach to building a culture of attendance, reducing barriers to engagement, and reconnecting students with learning.

Since launching the campaign, WUSD saw meaningful progress: a 16% increase in students attending 95% of the time or better, a 2% increase in Average Daily Attendance, and a 5% decrease in chronic absenteeism. This recognition reflects the shared commitment of our students, families, staff, administrators, and community partners to ensuring every student is present, engaged, and prepared for long-term success.

Driven By Data

Be Here! Don't Skip Out on Success
Driven By Data

With an all-time high of 30.83% chronic absenteeism in the 2021-2022 school year, the message was clear -something needed to address the disparity. The “Be Here!” campaign was conceived, implemented, and sustained through data-driven decision-making. Comprehensive attendance data analysis, feedback from school board meetings, internal surveys, and community forums guided the campaign's direction and messaging.

Making a Difference

Be Here! Don't Skip Out on Success
Making a Difference

As chronic absenteeism trends downward two years in a row while district attendance rates continue to climb, there's no debate that the "Be Here!" campaign has immensely impacted reprioritizing attendance as a critical catalyst for our students' long-term success. Monthly check-ins with school and district administrators, regular reviews of communication engagement analytics, and a noticeable improvement in attendance metrics attest to the campaign's impact.