Richmond Public Schools says decreased chronic absenteeism led to improved test scores, above state averages
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Despite little to no improvement for Virginia on last year's Nation's Report Card, Richmond Public School officials said their literacy test scores have improved faster than the state average. Earlier this year, 2024 test results were released that showed Virginia students had seen no improvement in their reading or math scores compared to 2022. Meanwhile, Richmond Public School (RPS) leaders celebrated a rise in standardized test scores in all subjects, including math and reading in 2024. RPS officials said the improvement comes down to reducing chronic absenteeism — defined as a student missing 18 days of school per year, or at least two days a month. “The moment they walk through the door, it is our goal to make sure that this is a loving place, a safe place, and a place that they actually really want to be,” said Monica Murray, principal at John Marshall High School. John Marshall High School saw an average of 26 students absent a day during the 2023-24 school year. So far, during the 2024-25 school year, the average is 24 students a day. School liaison Courtney Jackson said some cases are out of their control. “We have some students who are catching two and three busses to get here every day,” Jackson said. “Whether they're on time or not, they're still making sure that they get through the door and weather also plays a part.” Jackson said making learning fun and rewarding students when they do well can stop them from missing school. “We may have an extra hour in the gym, we may have we've had a DJ here before during lunch just to encourage kids, try to make it a fun environment, a safe and welcoming environment,” Jackson said. Engagement Support Coordinator Amanda McKeithan said they’ll continue connecting with families by meeting them where they are like bus stops and neighborhoods to ensure absences continue going down. “It takes all of us and I think [it's] important for families to know that we really do love them here,” McKeithan said. "We want their students here, and that whatever we got to do to make that happen, that we're going to do.”
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Despite little to no improvement for Virginia on last year's Nation's Report Card, Richmond Public School officials said their literacy test scores have improved faster than the state average.
Earlier this year, 2024 test results were released that showed Virginia students had seen no improvement in their reading or math scores compared to 2022.
Meanwhile, Richmond Public School (RPS) leaders celebrated a rise in standardized test scores in all subjects, including math and reading in 2024.
RPS officials said the improvement comes down to reducing chronic absenteeism — defined as a student missing 18 days of school per year, or at least two days a month.
“The moment they walk through the door, it is our goal to make sure that this is a loving place, a safe place, and a place that they actually really want to be,” said Monica Murray, principal at John Marshall High School.
John Marshall High School saw an average of 26 students absent a day during the 2023-24 school year. So far, during the 2024-25 school year, the average is 24 students a day.
School liaison Courtney Jackson said some cases are out of their control.
“We have some students who are catching two and three busses to get here every day,” Jackson said. “Whether they're on time or not, they're still making sure that they get through the door and weather also plays a part.”
Jackson said making learning fun and rewarding students when they do well can stop them from missing school.
“We may have an extra hour in the gym, we may have we've had a DJ here before during lunch just to encourage kids, try to make it a fun environment, a safe and welcoming environment,” Jackson said.
Engagement Support Coordinator Amanda McKeithan said they’ll continue connecting with families by meeting them where they are like bus stops and neighborhoods to ensure absences continue going down.
“It takes all of us and I think [it's] important for families to know that we really do love them here,” McKeithan said. "We want their students here, and that whatever we got to do to make that happen, that we're going to do.”
