HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10137 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10137
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 8, 2018
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*a SUBJECT: FORT WORTH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUANCY
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RESPONSE
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide the Fort Worth Independent School District
(FWISD) response to the request at the April 14, 2018 work session by the Fort Worth Mayor and
City Council, regarding the number of students impacted by HB 2398 (also referred to as the
Omnibus Truancy Reform Bill Effective: September 1 , 2015) changing student Truancy from a
criminal offense to a civil violation and if there has been a positive, measurable impact on
attendance.
One of the more significant changes under current law, (Section 25.0915 of the Education Code)
is that school districts must take at least one of the following truancy prevention measures: (1)
impose a "behavior improvement plan" on the student: (2) impose "school-based community
service" on the student; and (3) refer the student to counseling, mediation, mentoring, a teen
court program, community-based services, or other in-school or out-of-school services aimed at
preventing student's truancy. The intent of the change is to stress intervention over punitive
measures.
It must be noted that FWISD had implemented an ongoing policy of early intervention long before
the introduction of HB 2398. The goal of the district was and continues to be, to reduce the
number of court referrals and to pursue more proactive measures, which are designed to get
students back into the classroom. As a result, the average daily attendance rate (ADA) of the
Fort Worth Independent School District has remained constant through the introduction and
implementation of HB 2398. Listed below are the average daily attendance rates as reported to,
and published by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This data reflects the attendance rates for
FWISD for the school year of 2011-12 thru the current school year.
2016-17: 94.6% (On Point — PEIMS — final will be in 2017-2018 TAPR Report)
2015-16: 94.8% (2016-2017 TEA TAPR Report)
2014-15: 94.7% (2015-2016 TEA TAPR Report)
2013-14: 94.8% (2014-2015 TEA TAPR Report)
2012-13: 94.7% (2013-2014 TEA TAPR Report)
2011-12: 94.9% (2012-2013 TEA TAPR Report)
https://tea.texas.gov/perfreport/tapr/index.htm I
Additionally, FWISD has just provided some funding directly to campuses to build attendance
incentive options, specific to their campus, in the hope of seeing more of an increase. This spring
is the first semester, so the analysis of the impacts cannot be completed yet.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10137
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 8, 2018
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*a SUBJECT: FORT WORTH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUANCY
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RESPONSE
Included below are the attendance rate breakdown by grade level through May of 2018:
PK: 93.7%
K: 94.6%
1 : 95.4%
2: 95.5%
3: 95.8%
4: 95.9%
5: 96.1%
Elementary Average: 95.4%
6: 94.4%
7: 93.8%
8: 93.5%
9: 92.9%
10: 92.6%
11: 92.1%
12:91.4%
Secondary Average: 93.1%
In the school year 2017/2018, the attendance rate breakdown shows the numbers trend up until
5th grade, then trend back down through 12th.
Barry Smith, Assistant Director, Student Engagement and School Completion and
Representatives from the FWISD will be available at the May 8, 2018 Council Work Session for
any questions regarding this response. You may also contact Theresa Ewing, Municipal Court
Director at (817) 392-7461.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS