“In one school year, we reduced chronic absenteeism by 7%. We’ll walk through how we achieved that using RaaWee and systems implemented to drive real, measurable change.”
Diaka Melendez, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services at Aldine ISD, TX
PROFILE | Aldine ISD, TX
Total students
57,844
Number of Campuses
83
Student Information System
PowerSchool
Paul Carampatan, Director of School Administration for Aldine Independent School District, TX
“One of the biggest things where RaaWee has helped us out is being able to identify where the spots are that need support… That’s what technology will help you with, if you utilize it the right way—allowing you to drill deeper where historically, without technology, you would have just…not done it.” he says.
Aldine ISD achieves significant Attendance Improvement
Aldine ISD implemented a comprehensive strategy to combat chronic absenteeism and post-pandemic attendance declines. Key elements included data-driven interventions, cross-campus collaboration, and a focus on creating a culture of attendance. The district set clear goals, utilized monitoring systems, and provided tiered support to campuses. As a result, Aldine ISD achieved a 7% decrease in chronic absenteeism in one year. Future plans include expanding data reporting, customized action plans, night school options, and enhanced community partnerships.
The Chronic Absenteeism Challenge
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aldine ISD observed a significant decline in daily student attendance across all grade levels, including Pre-K, which historically had higher attendance. Chronic absenteeism was rising, instructional time was being lost, and schools lacked a structured, district-wide attendance strategy. With chronic absenteeism reaching 33.3%, the district needed a unified and sustainable plan to re-engage students, improve attendance, and foster a culture of accountability and belonging.
Strategic Attendance Priorities
Aldine ISD’s Attendance Strategy is grounded in the district’s broader strategic priorities:
1) Students First: Creating safe, supportive environments where students feel a sense of belonging.
2) Aligned Systems: Building central office systems to support school-level execution and responsiveness.
3) Instructional Excellence: Recognizing that consistent attendance is foundational to strong instruction.
4) Thriving Teams: Ensuring staff at all levels understand their roles and have the tools to act.
The Approach
Laying the Groundwork
To begin, Aldine identified the key staff members across campus and district levels who would anchor the attendance initiative: administrators, attendance clerks, registrars, student services staff, and communications teams. The district leadership adopted a “slow to go fast” mindset, prioritizing long-term change over quick fixes.
Clear Goals & Targets
Aldine ISD set ambitious, measurable attendance goals:
2023–24 Target: 1% increase in Average Daily Attendance (ADA)
– Start of Year ADA: 89.9%
– End of Year ADA: 91.3%
2024–25 Target: Additional 0.5% increase
– Mid-Year ADA: 92.9%
Monitoring & Accountability Systems
The district put accountability systems in place to monitor attendance and interventions consistently:
Weekly ADA Reports: Sent district-wide to track trends year-over-year.
Weekly RaaWee K12 Intervention Reports: Detailing warning letters, phone calls, and attendance contracts. Providing real-time insights into attendance actions and their impact.
Campus Visits: District leaders visit campuses to analyze data and design intervention plans.
Leaver Monitoring: Proactive tracking of student leavers for accurate reporting and potential re-engagement.
Data-Driven Tiering & Support
Using RaaWee K12 Attendance+, Aldine tiered its campuses based on attendance performance, allowing for tailored support levels. This approach ensures that struggling campuses receive the right attention and resources without a punitive tone. Campuses know their tier and what to expect in terms of district support.
Multi-Layered Interventions
Threshold Monitoring: Students with 3, 6, and 9 absences are flagged for tiered interventions.
Home Visits: Conducted by Dropout Recovery Specialists (DRSs) and campus staff.
Summer Outreach: Chronically absent students from previous year are contacted before school starts.
Judicial & Community Partnerships: Collaborations with Harris County TRIAD and the judicial system for additional family support.
Building a Culture of Attendance
Aldine focused heavily on creating a culture where attendance is celebrated and reinforced:
Incentives & Celebrations: Monthly rewards (e.g., AttenDANCEs, Pancakes with the Principal) for student attendance growth.
Teacher Recognition: Celebrations for educator attendance and engagement.
Friendly Competitions: Campus and grade-level attendance challenges.
ILT Highlights: Top-performing schools are recognized during Instructional Leadership Team meetings.
Since 2022, Aldine ISD has achieved a substantial reduction in chronic absenteeism, from 33.3% to 26.3%, a 7% decrease in just one year. This progress reflects the district’s unwavering focus on data-driven interventions, cross-campus collaboration, and a culture that puts students first.
ADA Improvement Results & Impact
Next Steps (2024–25 Focus)
- Continue expanding RaaWee-driven data reporting and visibility.
- Support campuses with customized attendance action plans every 6–9 weeks.
- Develop and launch night school options to increase student flexibility.
- Deepen collaboration with county partners to enhance wraparound services.
Aldine ISD’s commitment to combatting chronic absenteeism and improving attendance reflects a broader vision of student success and equitable access to education. With a foundation built on strategic alignment and data-informed practices, the district is well-positioned to sustain progress. As Aldine looks ahead, its continued focus on attendance will remain central to academic achievement and community connection across all campuses.
“RaaWee helped us ensure that attendance clerks were consistently doing what needed to be done; making calls, sending letters, and following through. But more importantly, it gave us the structure to clearly define each person’s role. That, hands down, has been the most valuable thing we’ve done.”
Todd Lindeman, Executive Director of School Administration at Aldine ISD, TX
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