JOB TITLE: School Attendance Specialist
SUPERVISOR: Supervisor of Innovation & Engagement
PURPOSE: Supports and complements the goals and vision of the Board of Education by creating school partnerships wherein students and families are supported, community members are connected, and successful attendance outcomes are achieved.
SUMMARY:
The School Attendance Specialist ensures that school-age children are attending school regularly by investigating causes of unexcused or excessive absences, communicating with families and assisting school administrators in problem-solving and issuing attendance-based warnings.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The School Attendance Specialist is responsible for coordinating with the Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) office to address district-wide attendance efforts and absenteeism prevention programming with a two-fold focus 1) educating families on the importance of attendance with a focus on prevention and 2) intervening to fix the underlying issues that lead to chronic absenteeism.
The School Attendance Specialist plays a critical role in:
Making periodic home visits, along with appropriate school staff, regarding attendance, emergency family needs, and crisis situations;
Co-facilitating workshops and academic events to help educate parents about academic expectations and to equip parents with strategies that will help them help their students to be more successful in school ? Collaborating with district/school leadership and teachers to establish and maintain effective, productive
relationships with parents that help to ensure support for student learning in and out of school ? Implement parent and community volunteer/mentoring programs to address the needs of students (i.e. chronic absenteeism)
Works with school administrators to monitor student adherence to the school's attendance policies; ? Emails, calls and sends automated notices to targeted student population;
Recommends families to the appropriate administrator for truancy intervention meetings as necessary; ? Attends all BARC and SARB meetings with school administrators;
Ensures state compliance guidelines are met for student attendance, progress and system logins; ? Ensures school policy and state requirements are met regarding all attendance withdrawals; ? Works with the Student Support Team to assist students in situations where referral to service agencies are necessary;
Works with families and BARC committee to develop individualized action plans to increase student attendance and engagement;
Collaborates with the Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement office to develop and implement educational workshops related to absenteeism for school staff and families;
All other duties as assigned by the Supervisor of Innovation and Engagement, Superintendent, and /or designee.
Education, Experience, and Qualifications
An Associates Degree preferred.
One (1) to three (3) years of related work experience is preferred, including experience in nonprofit, education, health or social work, and knowledge of community-based organizations. ? Must be comfortable with the use of data and presenting data to small and large groups. ? Knowledge of state school attendance laws, and other pertinent laws regarding K-12 education; ? Ability to travel across the district 75% of the time.
Bi-lingual Spanish speaking preferred.
Skill Requirements
Ability to effectively plan, organize, and prioritize own work to meet deadlines and accomplish assigned tasks within established timelines including maintaining accurate records and files.
Passionate about working with schools to build their capacity to offer effective programs to positively impact youth attendance rates.
Strong and effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to plan and present information to a variety of audiences.
High integrity and an exceptional work ethic required.
Must be flexible and receptive to change.
Physical Demands
Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle.
Must be able to push or lift up to 25 lbs occasionally.
Compensation and Benefits
Part-time; 20 Hours per week
School Year (approx 34 weeks Non-union;
$33.59 per hour
Grant Funded Position
Evaluation
Annual evaluation by the Supervisor of Innovation and Engagement.
EEO Statement:
Stratford Public Schools goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the students we serve. Stratford Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
