{"id":3713,"date":"2023-12-04T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schoolstatus18.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=3713"},"modified":"2024-10-16T23:33:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T23:33:16","slug":"the-new-normal-in-school-attendance-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schoolstatus.com\/blog\/the-new-normal-in-school-attendance-part-2","title":{"rendered":"The \u201cNew Normal\u201d in School Attendance: Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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ADA to ADM Funding<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In Texas<\/a>, the funding schools receive for the number of students enrolled and their daily attendance<\/a> has dropped. After the pandemic, the state legislature is discussing a possible shift from funding by Average Daily Attendance (ADA) to Average Daily Membership (ADM). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are currently only a handful of ADA states left, the largest being Texas and California. Proponents of maintaining ADA funding believe that districts will not have enough incentive to focus on attendance unless it is the method of payment. In theory, this may make sense, but the unfortunate reality is that funding is reduced\u2013\u2013and often from the districts that have the greatest need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make sure all districts can get better funding, we need to make sure we address absenteeism swiftly and effectively. SchoolStatus Attend<\/a><\/strong> is the most effective way for a school district to tackle chronic absenteeism. The data-driven attendance management platform and processes provide automatic interventions and positive reinforcement to support student success, increase daily attendance, and reduce administrative overhead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The reason for investing in a proactive attendance program is simple. In an ADA state, the return on the investment in schools increases ongoing revenue. The second benefit is more subtle but also shows why ADM states need to make attendance a priority. When students pass 10 days of absence each year, academic performance drops. When students miss school in ADM states, more interventions are required to support students who are academically behind. When attendance improves, so does academic achievement. This naturally reduces the number of students needing interventions. Since the intervention budget is already accounted for, this frees up resources for more intensive support to those students who need it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For an example of ADA funding and budget costs, think of a district with a 90% attendance rate of 100 students enrolled who would be funded for 90 students. If we use an average staff ratio\u2013\u201320 students to 1 teacher\u2013\u2013districts need to hire 5 teachers and provide all the technology and instructional materials. Assuming the base funding per student was $8,000, that district would receive $720,000 total or ($7,200 per student) under ADA funding. If the state moves to Average Daily Membership (ADM) funding, the district would receive $80,000 more<\/em> to provide services to all students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

California chose to remain an ADA funding model in 2022\u20132023. The Governor and Legislature recognized the lower ADA from the 2021\u20132022 school year would negatively impact school budgets and enacted two positive changes for Local Education Agencies budgets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n