How DCSD is Addressing Truancy

Dropout Rate Declines: How DCSD is Addressing Truancy
Posted on 02/05/2020
Dropout Rate Declines
How DCSD is Addressing Truancy


PARKER - The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) recently announced the 2019 on-time, four-year graduation rates of all Colorado school districts, with Douglas County School District (DCSD) coming in at 91.7 percent – an increase from its 2018 graduation rate of 90.8 percent. Just as DCSD’s graduation rate has improved, so has the school district’s dropout rate. In 2019, DCSD’s dropout rate also decreased from .7 percent in 2018 to .6 percent in 2019. More information on dropout rates can be found on the Colorado Department of Education website.

To better understand the challenges facing students who drop out, DCSD invited national truancy expert Dr. Chris Kearney from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to speak with school counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and administrators. Kearney led a four-hour professional development workshop on Friday, January 17 in Parker.
Dr. Chris Kearney, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
“The big three predictors of school dropout are called the A, B, Cs: attendance, behavioral issues, and course grades,” Kearney explained. “Chronic absenteeism is a good predictor of future dropouts, especially if it begins in middle school. [Combine that with a] failing grade in a core class like English or Math, as well as an office disciplinary referral, together those three are good predictors of 60 to 70 percent of eventual dropouts.”

A recent study conducted by the Douglas County Student Assistance Department used Kearney’s School Refusal Assessment Scale (SRAS) to assess chronic absenteeism across DCSD. Over half of habitually-truant DCSD students surveyed said they felt anxious or depressed by something at school and so avoided school altogether.

“Anxiety and depressive disorders are more predictive of school attendance kind of problems,” said Kearney. “You’ll also get kids with disruptive behavior problems, but that’s actually not as high a risk as emotional disorders.”

DCSD’s Counseling Team also felt Kearney’s workshop would be a valuable opportunity for other school districts and community partners. Aaron Ragon, DCSD Lead Counselor, invited several contemporaries from across Colorado: Dr. Samantha Haviland, Director of Counseling and College Success for Denver Public Schools; Joi Green, Counseling Coordinator for Cherry Creek Schools; and David West, Coordinator of Counseling Services for Aurora Public Schools.

“I’m happy to come to listen to experts,” said Haviland. “Truancy is an increasing problem that we’re seeing and it’s a very complex and difficult one to solve.”
Colorado Counselors Collaborate Together Why open the workshop to professionals outside of DCSD?

“I think there’s power in all of the districts collaborating together because we’re trying to take care of Colorado,” said Haviland. “The more we can help each other solve problems, the better.”

Beyond understanding the role mental health challenges play in school attendance, Kearney stressed: “It’s still important that parents value education and instill that in their kids from an early age and monitor their attendance on a regular basis.”

Families looking for support with attendance and absenteeism are encouraged to reach out to their school counselor or contact the DC Student Assistance Department at 303-387-0700.
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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).