HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut State Department of Education shared positive news on Tuesday when it released its chronic absenteeism data for 2023-2024 and results from the statewide assessments given this past spring.
According to the Department of Education, chronic absenteeism rates decreased by 2.3%, going from 20% down to 17.7%. The data represents 11,674 fewer students missing at least 10% of school days. The data also notes that over 80% of districts – 158 out of 197 districts – showed a decline in their chronic absenteeism rate from 2022-2023 to 2023-2024.
The Learner Engagement and Attendance Program, or LEAP, which is an evidence-based home visitation program, shows double-digit improvement in student attendance rates six months after a visit. The Department of Education said all student groups showed improved attendance in 2023-2024.
Additionally, chronic absenteeism in Kindergarten and the early grades is decreasing quicker than the upper grades. Beyond improvements to attendance, overall mathematics and science performances improved for the second straight year, the Department of Education reports.
Data reveals that English language arts scores remained stable with improvements in some grades, while additional improvement is needed in all areas to exceed pre-pandemic achievement.
The Department of Education further notes that the Performance Index is the best measure of overall average achievement across standard and alternate assessments in a content area.
Results display overall improvement in mathematics and science for the second consecutive year. The most notable improvements across most student groups came in mathematics.
Data shows that English language arts performance as at or above 2022-2023 levels in grades three through seven, while grades eight and 11 showed small signs of decline.
----
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.