Hillsdale Community Schools ranked above average in Michigan’s 2021-2022 school attendance rate, according to Michigan Department of Education data. 

While statewide K-12 student attendance dropped below 89% last year, Hillsdale Community Schools had an attendance rate of 92.54%, MDE data showed. 

“These data are consistent with what we have already known to be true during the past two years – students have received less instruction during the pandemic,” said State Superintendent Michael F. Rice in a press release. “Students need more instructional time, especially vulnerable students such as those who are economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, and English learners.”

Across the state, the gap between economically disadvantaged and others almost doubled to nearly 6% since the 2019-20 school year, according to MDE data.

Martin Ackley, an MDE spokesperson, said in an email the state was working closely with districts to assist with policies, practices, and procedures to increase attendance, especially targeted toward students considered “chronically absent.”

The MDE is working with districts through its Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System, Ackley explained. EWIMS is a data-driven decision-making process that assists educators in tracking students’ educational needs by monitoring attendance and academic performance.

“After one year of implementation, EWIMS reduced the percentage of students with chronic absences and course failures in the schools that implemented the process with fidelity,” Ackley said. 

The MDE is also working with other states and the nonprofit Attendance Works to study the best ways to improve attendance while reducing barriers to economic inequality.

While Michigan standardized test scores continued to improve state-wide compared to last year, Rice pressed parents and districts to get students back in the classroom. 

“Time in school was too short prior to the pandemic, yet so essential to student achievement,” Rice said. “Students need to be present in school to learn best and to address learning that remains unfinished.”

Hillsdale Community Schools did not respond to requests for comment.