In the world of education metrics, overnight transformations are rare. Real, sustainable progress often looks like a steady, determined climb. That is exactly the trajectory Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) is following when it comes to student attendance. For the second consecutive year, the district has recorded an increase in the number of students regularly attending class, signaling that post-pandemic recovery efforts are taking root.
According to data released Thursday, the district’s “regular attender” rate rose to 57% for the 2024-25 school year. This marks a modest but meaningful increase from 56% the previous year and a significant recovery from 52% in 2022-23.
Behind the Numbers
To understand the impact, it helps to understand the metric. The Oregon Department of Education defines a “regular attender” as a student present for more than 90% of the school year. While a single percentage point gain might appear small on a district-wide level, it represents hundreds of individual students showing up more consistently, engaging with peers, and accessing critical resources.
However, the district-wide average hides the success stories occurring at specific schools in our area. The data shows that targeted interventions are yielding positive results. Keizer Elementary School stands out as a particular success story, posting a huge 13.1 percentage point increase in its regular attendance rate. Other schools are following the trend with meaningful gains, including Chávez Elementary (+6.8 points), Whiteaker Middle School (+5.2 points), and Houck Middle School (+4.2 points).
Closing the Gaps
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the new report is the progress made among student groups that have historically faced the highest barriers to attendance. The district reported an 8 percentage point jump in attendance for students in foster care and a 6 percentage point increase for American Indian/Alaska Native students.
These increases suggest that the district’s “Climbing Together” plan and “Attendance Matters” initiative are effectively reaching the families who need support the most.
Building a Foundation
The brightest spot for the district’s long-term outlook lies with its youngest learners. Kindergarten attendance rose by another 2.4 percentage points this year. When viewed over a two-year period, regular attendance for kindergarteners has skyrocketed by nearly 13 points since 2022-23.
“Seeing this trend for our kindergarten students is a huge success and something we must continue to build on,” said Deputy Superintendent Olga Cobb. “Kindergarten is a crucial year for our youngest learners, and setting healthy habits is so important for developing those positive routines early on.”
The gains may be gradual, but they are moving in the right direction and building a foundation for academic success.
How to Help
You can help advocate for kids in Salem-Keizer Public Schools! As a community member, you can:
- Volunteer Directly: Complete the required online application and background check to volunteer in SKPS schools (e.g., in classrooms, libraries, or on field trips).
- Become a Resource Link: Educate yourself on local non-profit services (food banks, health clinics, social services) and connect this vital information directly to families facing attendance barriers.
- Be a Mentor: Seek out mentorship opportunities through school-partnered programs to provide a consistent, supportive relationship for a disengaged student.
- Share the Message: Actively share the “Attendance Matters” message with friends and neighbors and emphasize the positive impact that regular attendance has on a student’s future.
- Support Parents: Advocate in your workplace or community for family-friendly policies, such as flexible work hours for parents needing to manage school schedules.
Together, we can make Salem a better place to live, work, play, and go to school.
This article was originally published by Salem-Keizer Public Schools.
Read the original post here: https://salkeiz.k12.or.us/details/~board/district-news/post/salem-keizer-public-schools-sees-continued-growth-in-attendance