Year ends with lower attendance, higher graduation
By Marcus Clem
St. Joseph schools gave ground on getting kids to class for the recently ended 2023-24 academic term, compared to last year’s data, but one other key benchmark improved.
The district announced a satisfactory attendance rate of 77.56% for the year, down from 78.91% in 2022-23, and well below the goal of more than 90%. Assistant Superintendent Ashly McGinnis presented the data at Tuesday’s St. Joseph Board of Education meeting after data came in on Monday, she said. However, the high school graduation rate is forecast to improve to more than 87%, up from 77.6%.
“For our team, we’re going to go back to the drawing board,” McGinnis said. “We’ve had some discussions on what’s working, what’s not working; we don’t want to continue things that are not working.”
A student is counted as being in satisfactory attendance if they show up for at least 9 in every 10 of their scheduled class hours, a total of more than 1,145 per year. The worst situation exists at the high school level, with only 71.08% of all grades 9-12 students counted as being in satisfactory attendance. Lafayette High School is in the worst situation districtwide, given that only 64.25% of its students achieved satisfactory attendance for the year.
The most troubled grade levels in terms of attendance were 10 (69.08%) and 11 (67.69%). Among all schools, Eugene Field Elementary is the only building to achieve or surpass the goal for all of its students, with a 92.85% figure. The district will continue to aim for 90% attendance, while developing new strategies for that goal, McGinnis said.
“Talking points will be used to engage with our families and try to get them involved in school, and with their child’s education,” she said, adding that this will involve new messaging focused on the 90% threshold, which is a mark that the State of Missouri expects all school districts to enforce.
Board President LaTonya Williams told McGinnis that she believes there is cause for optimism.
“Of course, as you said, it’s not the place we would like, only it’s hopeful,” Williams said. “I mean, at least (the graduation rate) is an improvement from last year and it will continue to improve. So, I just want to thank you and your staff. I know it’s been a hard year and I know it’s been a lot of work. I mean, it’s getting there.”
Board Vice President Mike Moore, who has a leadership role at Altec Industries, Inc., said he believes the local business community has confidence in the district’s efforts to train the next generation for their future careers.
“I think you’re on the right track,” he said. “Students involved in career training graduated at a 93% rate … And I don’t want to celebrate too early, but maybe an 88% (overall) graduation rate this year? Yeah, that’s awesome.”
