Volusia County Schools traveled to the Florida State Capitol this past week to present its growing success in tackling chronic absenteeism through data-driven strategies, earning the attention of state lawmakers and education leaders. The district’s presentation, “From Numbers to Action: Volusia County’s Data-Driven Attendance Initiative,” offered a detailed look at how analytics, targeted interventions, and cross-department collaboration are transforming student attendance and engagement.
District officials briefed the Senate Education PreK–12 Committee on the serious academic impact of chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of the school year—and highlighted the promising results emerging from early identification and personalized outreach. By analyzing attendance patterns in real time, schools are now able to intervene sooner, providing supports tailored to student needs and helping families address barriers that keep children out of the classroom.
Volusia County Schools emphasized that its initiative is not just about tracking numbers, but about pairing data with purposeful action. Administrators discussed how attendance teams, counselors, and school-based staff are using daily dashboards and trend reports to engage with students before patterns become problematic. According to district leaders, the approach is already reducing chronic absenteeism rates and strengthening relationships between schools, students, and families.
During their time in Tallahassee, the Volusia delegation also met with local senators and members of Congress to share broader district updates and highlight the momentum behind initiatives like the districtwide “All Day, Every Day” attendance campaign. The campaign reinforces the message that consistent attendance is essential—not only for academic performance but for long-term success and well-being.
In addition to discussing attendance progress, district representatives showcased how multiple departments are working together to lift student achievement across all grade levels. The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) department, Safety & Security, and Student Services teams have adopted a united approach, ensuring students receive the academic, behavioral, and emotional support they need to succeed. This integrated model, officials said, has become a vital piece of the district’s overall strategy to keep students engaged and thriving.
The visit included collaboration and input from key state and district leaders, including Senator Tom Wright, Mike Micallef of Volusia County Schools, Jacquese Copeland of Volusia County Schools, and representatives from the Florida Department of Education. Lawmakers praised the district’s efforts and expressed interest in how Volusia’s model could serve as a resource for other school systems facing similar challenges.
As Volusia County Schools continues to refine and expand its attendance initiatives, district leaders say their mission remains clear: Use data intelligently, support students compassionately, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to show up, stay engaged, and reach their fullest potential.
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