Chalkbeat Chicago
At one Chicago elementary school, educators were so concerned about some students’ lackluster attendance they created a hall of fame — a bulletin board in the main hallway recognizing students who made the most gains in showing up to school.
The school’s efforts illustrate the district’s intense focus on attendance amid the high-stakes return to full-time in-person learning this fall. In September, Chicago Public Schools leaders touted a higher-than-expected rate on the first day of the school year and during its second week, evidence that stepped-up outreach to families was paying off...