Oregon Students Show Improved Attendance Post-Pandemic
Oregon students are gradually returning to classrooms following significant declines in attendance after the pandemic. According to the latest data from the Oregon Department of Education, regular attendance for the 2023-24 school year has increased by nearly 4 percentage points compared to the previous year, with elementary school attendance rising by almost 7 points. Of the 197 school districts across the state, approximately 76% reported improved attendance figures.
Additionally, the percentage of ninth graders on track to graduate within four years has also risen, now standing at nearly 85%, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and marking the second highest rate in state history. This equates to an increase of around 500 freshmen on track for graduation.
Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education, acknowledged the positive trends but emphasized the need for continued improvements, urging a sustained focus on high standards and providing necessary support for students and schools. Currently, over 550,000 students in Oregon attend K-12 education, with about 66% maintaining at least a 90% attendance rate in the latest academic year. In comparison, 80% of students achieved this level in the 2018-19 pre-pandemic school year.
Despite these signs of recovery, the state’s students still lag approximately 10 percentage points behind pre-pandemic academic achievement levels in key subjects. Absenteeism remains notably high in kindergarten, early elementary grades, and amongst high school seniors, raising concerns about long-term academic success.
In response to these challenges, many schools launched initiatives promoting attendance, including public awareness campaigns and direct outreach to families. This effort coincided with September being declared “Attendance Awareness Month” by Governor Tina Kotek, highlighting the state’s commitment to improving student participation in education.
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