INDIANAPOLIS — Tracking student attendance during remote learning can be challenging.
Absenteeism was a problem even before the pandemic. Now, a north side Indianapolis school is pivoting in a unique way to keep families on track during the pandemic.
Attendance laws and requirements still apply. “Leading a virtual school is a whole different ball game,” said school founder Anna Shults.
“As a charter school family are selecting our school, we know they place a heavy focus on education and support that we provide her at Ace Prep,” said Shults.
She has switched some things around since welcoming her scholars to Ace Preparatory Academy Charter school on Hillside Ave on August 6.
“This really allowed us to think about the wraparound care that scholars need and that families need. We talk all the time about giving families grace, they are doing more than the best they know how,” added Shults.
“If we don't see a student present on zoom or the classroom teacher has not been made aware that the student would not be attending today the teachers are reaching out in that moment and as soon as that Zoom is done,” said Shults.
She has dedicated a whole team to figure out how to help. “We have re-purposed staff that typically works with scholars in the building and they are now family liaisons--they serve as a second line of attack, when it comes to providing support to families when it comes to attendance,” added Shults.
70 percent of students will return to the classroom to resume instruction in October.
