CDE Field Trips - 12/19/24: Commissioner's Chat with DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero

Colorado Education Commissioner Dr. Susana Córdova recently sat with Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero in a recent Commissioner’s Chat to explore how the state’s largest school district is addressing chronic absenteeism.

“Attendance is critical,” Marrero said. “It impacts not just academics but students’ social and emotional growth. In collaborative classrooms, one absence can affect everyone’s learning.”

In July 2023, DPS appointed School Improvement Planning and Attendance Systems Manager Dr. Cori Canty to spearhead a district-wide attendance initiative. Early results suggest progress. DPS increased its attendance rate to 89.4% in 2023-24 from 88.4% in 2022-23. The statewide average is 91.5%. Chronic absenteeism also improved, dropping to 37.1% in 2023-24 from 41.1% in 2022-23 compared to a state average of 27.7% in 2023-24.

In July, DPS launched a new district-wide attendance strategy focused on a positive, solutions-oriented approach. Marrero highlighted a key shift: “Instead of focusing on consequences, we’re engaging families with supportive, solution-based communication.” Families receive regular updates on their child’s attendance, with clear information on whether their child risks becoming chronically absent.

The district also zeroed in on patterns. When attendance dipped in February 2023, the district introduced a February Attendance Focus in 2024, pairing targeted initiatives with family outreach.

“Small things make a big difference,” Marrero shared, describing how one high school boosted Friday attendance with school-wide engagement activities—like handing out snacks between classes.

DPS also began recognizing strong attendance with certificates for students, families, and staff to celebrate success. The certificates, sent electronically, quickly became a hit. “I’ve had families stop me in the community to thank us,” Marrero said. “It’s about acknowledging their effort and commitment.”

DPS’s approach includes minute-by-minute attendance tracking rather than the traditional half-day system, allowing for a more precise understanding of attendance trends. This year, the district’s goal is a 1% increase in attendance and a 1% decrease in chronic absenteeism rates by year’s end.

“Families want the best for their children,” Marrero said. “Our message is simple: we want to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, but they need to be at school for that to happen.”