How one California school district tackled chronic absenteeism, suspensions
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The Livingston Union School District improved chronic absenteeism, suspensions and student well-being by investing in school counselors, according to a new study by the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools.The study examines how Livingston Union, a small, five-campus K-8 school district in Merced County, implemented comprehensive school counseling — a system of integrated academic and mental health support for students and families — to outpace California on key metrics of post-pandemic recovery.Livingston Union lowered chronic absenteeism from a post-pandemic peak of 18.3% in 2023 to 14.2% in spring 2024, exceeding a goal of reducing chronic absenteeism by 3% by the end of the school year, according to the study.In 2024, California reported a chronic absenteeism rate of about 20% statewide.LUSD also lowered suspension rates from 3.4% to 2.8% between 2022 and 2023.
In the same time frame, California’s suspension rates jumped from 3.1% to 3.5% between 2022 and 2023.The district’s suspension rate for students with disabilities also decreased by 5.5% between 2011-2012 and 2018-2019, while schools across Merced County saw an increase in suspensions.Alma Lopez, lead school counselor at Livingston Union, said that school counselors run regular “student information reports” and meet with students who are earning multiple Fs in certain subjects, struggling to make it to school, or have received multiple office referrals for detention or suspensions.
California LAUSD kindergartners have high rates of chronic absenteeism.It’s a problem that could affect literacy proficiency and social emotional development.“We’re looking at the data to identify the students initially, and then digging a little deeper to try and find what’s the root cause of the challenge they’re having,” Lopez said.
“And then looking at what could be an intervention for that student in ...