Student attendance is on the rise in Mooresville schools after the district ranked ninth out of 115 school districts in the state for the 2010-11 school year.
The ranking is a marked improvement over 2009-10, when the Mooresville Graded School District ranked 22nd, according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
“Multiple things can be attributed to the increase,” said Ginger Huffstickler, the MGSD’s director of accountability. “Our principals and teachers are very conscious of occurring absences and very involved in calling the students.”
Huffstickler did note that there were only small marginal differences in the increase between this past school year and the year prior.
“If you look at the averages we went from 95.33 to 95.74 which doesn’t seem like much,” she said.
Huffstickler said that increased involvement from students and constant involvement from principals and teachers making sure students are there when they are healthy are also a factor.
“Even our mentoring program is one more person letting them know we care,” she said.
Misty Basham, dropout prevention coordinator and school social worker for Mooresville high and middle schools, said the hard work of the staff is a “key number one factor” for the increase.
“I know the younger grades have PBIS, and the laptop initiatives really help along with the mentoring program which allows the children to have another positive adult relationship in their lives,” said Basham. “We also have Capturing Kids Hearts and I think if we can capture kids hearts we can capture their minds.”
Basham noted they have seen a decrease in the dropout rate as well.
“There’s just a lot of different things going on that other districts aren’t doing and the kids are excited about learning and when other kids see that it catches on,” she said.
Following close behind the MGSD was Iredell-Statesville Schools, which ranked 11th in student attendance for the 2010-11 school year.
I-SS officials say the district gives students reasons to come to school.
"We’re real proud of our kids," said Superintendent Brady Johnson.
Each day, an average of 95 percent of students attended school during the year.
Johnson said the ranking is down from the previous year because students had make up days on two holidays.
Offering choice programs such as Northview and Mt. Mourne IB schools, Collaborative College for Technology and Leadership, Career Academy and Technical School; two alternative schools; and out-of school suspension reporting center are all opportunities tailored to meet the varying needs of students to keep them in school.
"Students can’t be successful in school if they aren’t attending school," Johnson said in a released statement.
"Good attendance is important now, and it’s a habit that will serve our students well as they move on to college or start a career."
He said he is proud of students and commended staff for their efforts.
South Iredell High Principal Aron Gabriel said the district offers families various choice options.
"From I.B. to the magnet programs, the variety our school district provides helps students become more engaged and want to come to school," he said in a released statement.
"The alternative program at Monticello affords kids the opportunity to continue their education, sometimes during non-traditional hours. Otherwise, these students may have stopped coming to school regularly, or ultimately dropped out."
Staff writer Chyna Broadnax contributed to this report.
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