MJUSD challenging students, parents with 180 days commitment

Robert Summa, Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.
·2 min read

Sep. 22—The Marysville Joint Unified School District is urging students and their parents or guardians to commit to a 180 days initiative seeking perfect attendance at its 23 school sites, officials said this week.

Chronic absenteeism has been affecting schools both nationally and locally since the waning days of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the district is urging students and their caretakers to take attendance at school seriously.

Not only are educators urging perfect attendance in order to ensure students are achieving their related benchmarks, but also because in California school districts receive funding based on the number of students who attend school. California is one of a handful of states that bases its funding on attendance, with most states having switched to an overall enrollment-based funding formula, according to reporting by EdSource.

"We're asking parents and guardians to make it important for their student(s) to come to school and support them through these instrumental, formative years," Zachary Pless, director of Student Welfare and Attendance for the district, said in a statement. "Attendance in school sets the stage for success as an adult."

According to research cited by district officials, 17% of students across the nation who were chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade read at grade level when they entered third grade. In sixth grade, absenteeism is considered one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school. By ninth grade, absenteeism is cited as a better predictor of graduation rates than eighth grade test scores. According to data, students are 25% more likely to drop out of high school if they miss five to nine days of a semester, officials said.

Marysville Joint Unified School District officials said they are "keenly focused" on the wellness of the student population and want to help students cope with any distractions that may affect their school experience.

"The families of our students are an extension of our district and when we unite on a shared vision, we have the opportunity to enrich the lives of our community's youngest residents," Dr. Fal Asrani, superintendent for Marysville Joint Unified School District, said in a statement. "When our children are in school, we are able to provide services that benefit their education, social and emotional growth. We are focused on the wellness of our students and staff, so coming to school each day is important."

The district has put up banners at its school sites to remind students and parents to commit to the 180 days initiative. Families who may be struggling with a student's attendance or wellness are encouraged to contact Pless at zpless@mjusd.k12.ca.us or Tony Perez, director of Wellness, at tperez@mjusd.k12.ca.us.