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January 2023

Happy New Year! As we embark upon the start of 2023, take time to reflect on the successes from 2022, and set your sights on all you will accomplish in the upcoming year. 

We recognize student attendance has received increased attention during the 2022-2023 school year. Ensuring students are present everyday to learn is a gateway to student achievement and each child reaching their full potential. In May 2022, Superintendent’s Memorandum #095-22 announced the special provision to remove the chronic absenteeism indicator from the determination of school accreditation status for the 2022-2023 accreditation year only. While schools were granted this one year provision, it has not stopped the efforts of all school staff to reduce chronic absenteeism. In December 2023, Superintendent's Memorandum #275-22 outlined how the Chronic Absenteeism Indicator will be calculated in accountability year 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.  

As school leaders continue to find innovative ways to communicate with families, establish community partnerships, and increase student engagement in their efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism, the Office of School Quality (OSQ) along with the Office of Student Services (OSS) has been collaborating to provide additional resources and training opportunities. Below is a list of some resources you may want to review:

• Chronic Absenteeism Toolkit
• Virginia’s One-Stop for Improving Attendance Canvas Course 
• One hour webinar on February 2, 2023 - Register here! Open to any school and division leaders
• Collaborative Learning Cohorts - cohort 1 began in September 2022 and cohort 2 begins this month. Registration for the cohorts is now closed.  
• Upcoming: OSQ is currently working with the Office of Procurement to contract with a provider to assist public school divisions with outreach and support for disengaged, chronically absent, or struggling students in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

When planning your next steps, stay focused on the “why” behind what you do each day. “When you know your why, your what has more impact.” Michael Jr.

Here’s to a great 2023!

Thank you, 

Rebecca Hall

Standards of Accreditation Coordinator, Office of School Quality

Support for High-Quality Educational Environment

Addressing chronic absenteeism requires a proactive, systematic approach to reach all students through tier 1 universal strategies beginning with promoting a safe, welcoming and positive culture that  encourages attendance.  The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) defines chronic absenteeism  “as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason.”  Chronic absenteeism includes all absences and focuses on the academic effects of missed learning. Identifying the root causes for specific students and schools is essential to develop interventions and supports that will prevent chronic absenteeism to include a tiered systems of support. This research brief from Hanover Research provides additional information to assist as you explore approaches to addressing chronic absenteeism. 

In this upcoming technical assistance webinar, the Office of School Quality (OSQ) will provide an overview of strategies, processes, and resources to improve student attendance. To learn more on this topic, join OSQ on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. for an hour-long technical assistance session. Please complete the registration form to attend.

Promotion of Quality Leadership

Leaders across the Commonwealth work diligently to promote quality in their schools.  Please take some time to recognize those leaders. The OSQ Team is happy to announce the name of school leaders who were recognized for their work on Professional Learning in Leadership. 

Region 2

Chrissy Wagner, Principal, Bethel Manor Elementary School 

and

Tianna Anthony, Principal,  Grafton Middle School 

York County Public Schools

Nominated by Dr. David Reitz, Director of Leadership and Accountability

Based upon this month's theme of Chronic Absenteeism, please nominate a principal who has prioritized this work as designated in the criteria below. Complete the nomination form by February 1, 2023, for consideration. The leader supports the work of reducing Chronic Absenteeism  by:

• Communicating in a variety of ways with students, families, and the school community; 
• Leading an attendance team to implement evidence-based strategies to increase attendance and student engagement;
• Using various forms of data to track and monitor attendance;
• Organizing a tiered system of support to personalize support to meet individual student needs;
• Engaging a variety of community stakeholders.

Academic Review Reminder

Academic Reviews are required for schools with a Level Two academic achievement indicator in English, mathematics, and/or science and schools with any Level Three school quality indicator. Division and school leaders should plan to complete academic reviews by January 31, 2023. During the first week in January, the Office of School Quality (OSQ) will send OSQ contacts details on the submission of the academic review report(s) and revised comprehensive school improvement plan(s) (schools with any Level Three SQI) and/or the submission of the Superintendent’s Certification of the completion of academic reviews (schools with a Level Two academic achievement indicator in English, mathematics, and/or science). Please email Rebecca Hall, Standards of Accreditation Coordinator, at rebecca.hall@doe.virginia.gov with any questions.

New Website

Check out our new look at the Virginia Department of Education’s website.  You may continue to find resources and support from the Office of School Quality.

Foundations of Continuous Improvement Canvas Course

The Canvas Course includes videos, resources, and quick checks on each Virginia Continuous School Improvement (VaCSIP) module. Division and school leaders can access the resources and training any time, anywhere. For access to the Canvas Course, please sign up here:   https://tinyurl.com/osqcanvas.

Upcoming Quick Takes Webinar

Any feedback about this communication is greatly appreciated. Also, if you have a topic you would like to see in a future monthly edition of Quality Quick Takes, contact OSQ at OSQ@doe.virginia.gov.

This monthly communication is intended for school and division leadership throughout the Commonwealth.

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