New Attractions Battle Absenteeism in Port Jervis Schools
Enticements to come to school are increasing and diversifying in Port Jervis School District, ranging from new courses and clubs to bus routes, as described by Port Jervis School District Superintendent John Bell. As post-pandemic chronic school absenteeism pervades the U.S., Bell and his colleagues work on incentives.
In 2022-23, Port Jervis had a secondary level chronic absenteeism rate of 38.5% , up from 32.9% in 2018-19, according to New York State Department of Education statistics, which define chronic absenteeism as missing 18 days in a school year. With 438 out of 775 Port Jervis High School students considered economically disadvantaged, that population had a 49.5% rate of chronic absenteeism. Primary and middle level chronic absenteeism was 36.5% in 2022-23, up from 21.3% in 2018-19, while chronic absenteeism among the economically disadvantaged students rose from 27.9% to 47.1%.
“The chronic absenteeism of that subset brings down the overall attendance rate. Otherwise, it would have been well into the 90+% range,” Bell said. “The other kids have great attendance, which counterbalances the chronic absentee kids. Attendance was up this year. The high school was at 88% attendance last year and is over 90% this year. The middle school was at 89% last year and is over 91% this year. Anna S. Kuhl Elementary was at 90% last year and is now at 91%. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary was at 91% last year and is at 93%.”
However, chronic absenteeism persists.
“Despite our improved attendance overall, we still have more than 100 students in each school with 10 or more absences,” Bell said. “Our school teams of administrators, counselors, psychologists and social workers meet on a regular basis to strategize how to help these students attend school more.”
Bell attributed attendance and graduation rate issues to socioeconomic challenges, as the statistics on economically disadvantaged students suggest. Not having a ride and family issues are common obstacles, he said. In 2023, the four-year graduation rate was 81.2%, 165 out of 202 students. Among the 99 considered economically disadvantaged, none were four-year graduates, and 70 were five-year graduates, although Bell pointed out that students who take a required test over the summer become classified as five-year graduates. However, among the 92 disadvantaged six-year students, only 77 graduated.
For improved attendance rates, Bell gave significant credit to adding 350 students to the group who could ride buses to school. The group designated as “walkers” was shifted from those living a mile and a half from school to those living up to one mile from school.
“We think that really helped,” he said. “When it was cold, snowy or rainy, they opted out. And we added more teams and clubs, as something to look forward to. One middle school girl missed more than 50 days last year as a walker who now gets a bus. This year, she has almost perfect attendance and has signed up for various clubs.”
New course offerings at a range of levels and in assorted subjects, as well as extracurricular activities, are aimed at engaging a wide range of students.
“We’re looking to add more college courses this year and more next year,” Bell said.
The district began the additions last year with juniors and seniors. This year courses were added for sophomores, and next year college courses for freshmen will be added, he said. A U.S. history course from Mount St. Mary’s College and an environmental science and forestry course from SUNY Syracuse are among offerings. The middle school had previously offered two honors courses. Now six are offered—in math, science, social studies and English in eighth grade, math and English in seventh grade.
Asked how these more advanced courses affect students, Bell said, “All those classes are pushing almost 30 students. Kids are excited to take more challenging classes.”
Plans are afoot to add more honors classes and to include younger students, including seventh grade social studies and science and sixth grade math and English, increasing from two honors classes to 10.
Bell also pointed out a wide variety of options, such as music, art, business and physical education courses that include sports medicine and athletic training. Bowling intramurals have been added, and next year, students will have varsity bowling. Boys volleyball was added for fall.
“Whatever their passion, they can pursue it,” Bell said.
In May, he noted, students will make deposits for college room and board. “If they have advanced standing, they'll go where they have credits. It broadens their horizons.”
To determine what may impede students, Bell said that a “core mental health team” of an administrator, social worker and psychologist look at trends.
“Attendance has increased, but some chronic absenteeism persists,” he said.
At mid-year, over 100 students had missed 10 out of 90 days in the middle school. At H.B.E. elementary, 20% had missed 10 of 90 days, as had 15% at ASK Elementary and the high school.
“With triple digit absences, we look into how they get to school, what else is going on and what we can do to help,” said Bell. “We figure it out with counselors and families. No two are alike. For some kids the bus helps. For some families with a junior or senior, they can’t get a ride to arrive at 7:30 a.m., but they can get in at 8:15. Maybe allow them first period off rather than ninth period. Sometimes a buddy system to pick them up helps. Maybe they don’t have a bus or don’t like it, or they can’t get up. Maybe someone is hospitalized who normally cares for the kids. Maybe they don’t know about the latchkey program before and after school. What’s the root cause? How can we fix it?”
As for mental health trends, Bell said, “This is the first year that resembles pre-covid 2019. It took this long to feel truly normal. Some issues kids were already struggling with, like depression, anorexia, bulimia and anxiety. But with their mindset toward school, where online didn’t replicate face to face, it took this long to get back in the groove.”
He pointed out graduation rate improvements, from 80% in 2019 to 86% in 2023, after sinking to 78% last year. In the special education subgroup, the graduation rate rose from 54% to 69%.
“It’s a big jump, but there’s lots to overhaul,” Bell said, attributing improvement to replacing study halls with resource rooms overseen by a special education teacher who can help students, providing small group attention or a conference.
Civics, Trades and the Real World
As students approach graduation, they also get guidance for civic participation, Bell said.
“We try to get 18-year-olds to register to vote in the spring. Teachers have them fill out the form to register before they leave. If they never register early, they may never register. They can vote on the school budget, the school board and referendums.”
Some students are more civically ambitious, pursuing the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness, for which they must fulfill requirements for a New York State local or Regents diploma and earn a total of six points, earning two points in Civic Knowledge, two points in Civic Readiness and two points in Civic Participation, which involve service learning, service projects and engagement with participatory government.
“Last year, 12 out of 170 seniors got it,” said Bell. “We’re aiming for 30 this year and 60 next year. Many kids are trying. We’ll know early in June. We’re aiming for bi-literacy too. A blue ribbon commission is studying areas for acceleration, broadening horizons with seals, as college broadens. There’s a 60-page book of ideas. Parents, students, administrators and business people were asked. The state education department is considering the ideas. I don’t think the idea of passing five Regents exams will stay. It’s not for those with different aims.”
He describes Regents exams as having set a standard, but, he said, “They’ve been watered down so most kids will pass. In the 25 years since Regents were required, there’s been no improvement in the dropout or graduation rate. Why torture students? One girl took the algebra test five times and failed, and she’s back for a fifth year. Before, the minimum knowledge to graduate was business math instead of trigonometry. They need working knowledge to be a good citizen. College isn’t for everyone. They jack up the cost yearly.”
He sees the trades as a worthy option for many students.
“They can work with their hands and not waste time or money on college, if they have street smarts and are good with their hands. We invite trade representatives to talk to kids. We have hard working blue collar kids. They can get into unions. The trades are cool again. I know kids in their early 20’s making good money. They don’t have debts.”
School District Budget for 2024-25
As for the school budget, he said, “This is the fourth year in a row we’re not raising taxes. The $96 million budget preserves and adds programs. Federal money has put much in place, and New York supports schools more than Pennsylvania. Schools are in trouble when state aid is cut.”
However, expected cuts did not happen.
“All the districts that were going to see budget cuts ended up getting the same amount as last year,” Bell said. “We didn't get a bump. We had hoped to get a 3% increase as proposed by the Legislature, but we stayed the same with only a 0.6% increase.”
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