School Attendance Specialist

School Attendance Specialist

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required (Education, Social Work, Public Administration, or related field)
• Experience in K12 education, student services, or school administration preferred
• Experience with student information systems and data analysis strongly preferred
• Knowledge of attendance laws and school accountability systems

Reports To: Director of Student Services

Job Goal: The School Attendance Specialist supports the improvement of student attendance across the school district by monitoring data, ensuring compliance with state laws, and collaborating with school leaders to implement effective attendance interventions. This role focuses on reducing chronic absenteeism, improving data accuracy, and strengthening systems aligned with district and state accountability goals.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Attendance Data Management & Monitoring
• Analyze school-wide attendance data to identify trends, gaps, and at-risk student populations
• Monitor daily attendance reporting for accuracy and compliance
• Support school in correcting attendance coding errors and maintaining data integrity
• Prepare reports for district leadership, school boards, and state submissions
• Compliance & Policy Implementation
• Ensure adherence to state attendance laws, truancy regulations, and district policies
• Support implementation of compulsory attendance procedures, including truancy referrals and documentation
• Collaborate with legal agencies, families, and community partners as needed
• School Support & Coaching
• Provide guidance and training to school attendance clerks, administrators, and staff
• Assist schools in developing and implementing attendance improvement plans
• Support MTSS and PBIS frameworks as they relate to attendance interventions
• Conduct site visits and attendance audits to ensure best practices
• Intervention & Student Support
• Identify students with chronic absenteeism and coordinate targeted interventions
• Collaborate with counselors, social workers, and administrators to address barriers (transportation, health, family needs, etc.)
• Support attendance recovery programs and alternative solutions
• Communication & Family Engagement
• Develop communication strategies to improve attendance awareness among families
• Assist schools with parent conferences, attendance letters, and outreach efforts
• Promote a culture of attendance through district campaigns and initiatives
• Skills
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret policies and ensure compliance
• Excellent communication and training skills
• High attention to detail and organization
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments

Personal Qualities:

• Devotes time and energy effectively to job
• Demonstrates ability to work well with individuals and groups
• Exercises good judgment when arriving at decisions
• Maintains high standards of ethics, honesty and integrity in all personal and professional matters

Related Responsibilities:

• Concentrates effort in area of major responsibility
• Is self-directed
• Keeps abreast of current trends in education
• Exhibits loyalty in the promotion of the district's goals
• Completes a self-evaluation annually
• Develops and implements Individual Growth Plan (IGP) annually
• Reports job-related injuries within 48 hours of the incident to the Director of Human Resources ("Job-related injuries" include, but are not limited to, any accident or illness which involves loss of consciousness, restriction of work motion, or medical treatment)

Terms of Employment: 9.5 months

Evaluation: Performance of this position will be evaluated annually in accordance with Natchitoches Parish School Board policy.