ODE taps two Springfield schools for study to improve attendance, state practices

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has invited Two Rivers-Dos Ríos Elementary (TRDR) and Thurston High School (THS) to participate in a key study analyzing attendance and the tactics both schools used to support their students and families. The two schools have seen positive increases over the past three years. Insights from the study will help ODE shape statewide policy and refine best practices across Oregon.

Statewide data shows gradual improvement in attendance, but not a full return to pre-pandemic levels. In 2023-24, about 66% of Oregon students attended school at least 90% of the time. This is up nearly four percentage points from the previous year, yet still below the roughly 80% seen before COVID.

Both THS and TRDR teams spent a considerable amount of time looking at their respective school’s data and gathering feedback from students and parents.

“Attendance is culture. Returning from Covid and from distance learning, rebuilding a positive expectation around the importance of attendance was a big priority for us,” said THS Principal, Kimberlee Pelster. “We focused on telling the story of why attendance matters. For all students, especially underclassmen, we see a direct connection between regular attendance and credit attainment.”

Pelster and her staff also invested in building a strong menu of campus supports, from an on-site family resource center, to a team of success coaches. At THS, students are also rewarded for their attendance.

For students who didn’t have regular attendance the prior school year, THS invites them to participate in a “Pledge to Attend,” this is a sprint in the first month of school. Students meet with a coach, talk about attendance, set a goal for 90% attendance, and then track their progress. Each week, the student gets recognized if they’re on track, or they get support. 

“Short, intentional goal setting (paired with celebration or support) makes a difference for students,” said Pelster.

THS has also spent a significant amount of time reaching out to families. Instead of relying on autodialers, THS staff make personal calls directly to families of students when attendance becomes irregular. These conversations often reveal barriers and guide staff in connecting students to the right campus supports. 

For TRDR Principal Kristen Noor, much of the progress is rooted in strong community outreach and meaningful family engagement.

“Our admin team began by reviewing attendance data and listening closely to parent feedback, which helped us identify clear trends and areas of concern,” said Noor. “We introduced a Friday morning meeting to help boost attendance specifically on Fridays and we saw an immediate improvement.”

Building on that success, TRDR expanded outreach by promoting Friday assemblies to families through social media, email, and Seesaw. Noor and her team also focused on educating both staff and families about the influence they have on attendance and helping families see the long-term importance of consistent school attendance.

To support students throughout the school day, TRDR staff established consistent classroom entry routines to create smoother transitions and set clear expectations each morning. Morning meetings play a key role in helping students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn.

The school also holds weekly 20-minute attendance meetings where kindergarten through fifth-grade general education teachers review individual student attendance data. These meetings allow staff to identify concerns early and submit communication forms to ensure timely follow-up with families.

TRDR has further strengthened attendance by recognizing students with 95–100% attendance through awards and prizes, an approach that has been met with enthusiasm and motivation from students.

Together and when used in combination, these schools demonstrate how relationship-centered, intentional practices can improve attendance and support long-term student success across their schools, and potentially across the state of Oregon.