Higher Ground Impact: New HG Impact Stats - Attendance Soars, Absenteeism Plummets!
We're excited to share some powerful new data showcasing the transformative impact of our Higher Ground Restart SMART strategies in one of our partner school districts.
Attendance Skyrockets:
Restart SMART sites saw an incredible 17% increase in average attendance rates, with an overall average increase of 8.8%.
Compare this to a 0.3% increase across non-Restart SMART sites in the district.
Schools with similar demographics saw a 1.4% increase.
In short, Restart SMART sites achieved an attendance increase 26 times greater than the district average and 3 times greater than comparable schools.
Chronic Absenteeism Crumbles:
Even more impressively, Restart SMART sites saw a dramatic 21% decrease in chronically absent students, with an average reduction of 5.4%.
Meanwhile, comparable schools experienced an increase in chronic absenteeism, averaging a 2.3% rise.
These results are a testament to the effectiveness of our data-driven, personalized approach. By addressing the root causes of absenteeism and providing targeted support, Higher Ground’s Restart SMART is making a real difference in the lives of students and their families. Your support makes this possible!
Why do we work to combat chronic absenteeism? In Arizona, chronic absenteeism is a growing concern that demands our attention. The U.S. rate of chronic absenteeism reached a staggering 28% in the 2022-23 school year, meaning nearly one in three students missed 10% or more of school. This has devastating effects on our students. Missing crucial instructional time leads to long-term learning gaps, especially in early grades where foundational skills are built. Research shows that children chronically absent are far less likely to read at grade level by third grade, setting them on a path of academic struggle. Helios Foundation
At Higher Ground, we understand that chronic absenteeism is a complex issue with interconnected factors, including student disengagement, lack of access to support, and health challenges. Higher Ground’s Restart SMART strategy is a comprehensive, data-driven approach designed to address chronic absenteeism issues in our Tucson and Chandler schools. Higher Ground Impact
Please don’t forget our $15K by Tax Day goal of raising funds to keep Higher Ground strong through May. Even the smallest donation helps! Thank you!
