In a May 23 press release, Federal Way Public Schools shared that attendance rates at all four high schools within in the district had risen steadily since 2006.

For the most recent reporting period of 2009-10, FWPS shared that “Federal Way’s unexcused absence rate was half that of the state average, according to the Office of the State Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI).”

FWPS credits the rise in attendance rates to the implementation of the “Blackboard Connect” communication system in 2006. According to the district, the service “streamlines communication with parents and provides more accurate, timely and reliable attendance calls.”

District spokeswoman Diane Turner said FWPS has made attendance a “major initiative to make sure that kids are in school and that we are partners with our parents in reaching that goal.”

High school attendance rates, according to Federal Way Public Schools:

• Decatur High School

2006-07: 87.9 percent

2009-10: 93.5 percent

• Federal Way High School

2006-07: 86.2 percent

2009-10: 92.3 percent

• Thomas Jefferson High School

2006-07: 88.2 percent

2009-10: 92.3 percent

• Todd Beamer High School

2006-07: 86.6 percent

2009-10: 90.3 percent

 

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