Our City, Our Schools

A look at city investments in education

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About Our City, Our Schools

The series highlights levy-funded programs from pre-K through high school. Host Brian Callanan talks with everyone from principals to preschoolers about the Families and Education Levy's successes and its challenges. Is the investment paying off? How are levy programs improving student achievement? What are the benchmarks for measuring the levy's effectiveness?

Our City, Our Schools: Improving School Attendance
Our City, Our Schools: Improving School Attendance
3/19/201829:26

Experts say attendance, even in preschool, can be a significant indicator for high-school graduation rates and other life outcomes. Why does our state have one of the worst student absenteeism rates in the country, and what are city and school officials doing about it? In this edition of Our City, Our Schools, host Brian Callanan explores the multi-tiered system of supports our schools, with assistance from the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning, are using to help improve student attendance. We visit Olympic Hills Elementary and Eckstein Middle School for an inside look at steps local schools are taking to keep kids in school and reduce chronic absenteeism.

Guests:
Leilani Dela Cruz, Early Learning Operations Manager, Department of Education and Early Learning
Gordon McHenry, President and CEO, Solid Ground
Brad Fulkerson, Attendance Program Manager, Seattle Public Schools

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