Spring Branch ISD Featured News

When HP Hyder III became principal of Northbrook High School three years ago, he encountered a troubling trend: student attendance had significantly declined, a lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This drop in attendance not only affected students' academic performance but also had financial implications for the school.“Attendance issues have a ripple effect on students' ability to earn course credits, impacting their overall grades and mastery of essential skills,” said Principal Hyder. “And when students aren't present, it disrupts everyone's learning experience.

"Teachers struggle to maintain continuity in their lessons, leading to frustration, discipline issues, and other problems.”Attendance isn’t just about classroom learning—it's also crucial for school funding. State funding for schools is partly calculated based on the number of days students are in class.

Schools lose money when students are absent, making it even more critical for students to maintain good attendance. The state of Texas is one of the few states that funds public education based on average daily attendance instead of enrollment.  For many schools and district in Texas, increasing attendance has become a key financial and educational priority. 

The stakes are even higher for student-athletes. The 'no pass, no play' policy requires students to maintain a certain level of academic performance to be eligible for sports, which can be compromised by poor attendance. This could leave athletes unprepared for the next season, underscoring the serious implications of absenteeism on both academic and extracurricular success.Understanding these challenges, Hyder launched a concerted effort to improve attendance, setting it as a top priority at Northbrook.

The school established what Hyder refers to as an Intervention Center, staffed with professionals dedicated to filing truancy cases and working closely with students and their families to address absenteeism's root causes.

“We conduct home and wellness visits to check on students who are not in class regularly,” said Hyder. “These visits are not just about confirming attendance, but also about understanding the student's situation and providing the necessary support.

If a student accumulates 10 to 12 absences in a month, we treat it with urgency. In some cases, we even consider withdrawal to emphasize the importance of consistent attendance.” Hyder has also clarified roles and responsibilities to enhance attendance monitoring.

Grade-level offices now have dedicated staff responsible for identifying and addressing regular patterns of absenteeism.The renewed focus on attendance has already shown promising results for Northbrook, with attendance rates rising from 87.2% in the 2022-2023 school year to 89.14% in the 2023-2024 school year.

The school aims to reach a 92% attendance rate this year. In addition to strategic interventions, Hyder emphasizes the significance of celebrating successes.

Positive Behavior Incentives and Supports (PBIS) are integrated into the school’s approach, reinforcing the importance of regular attendance. Teachers are also held accountable for accurate attendance-taking, ensuring that the data accurately reflects student engagement. Northbrook High has made it a priority to publicly recognize students with excellent attendance records.

"Whether it's hosting a nacho party or giving shout-outs during announcements, we strive to create a culture where good attendance is celebrated and valued,” said Hyder. “We hope that our combined efforts will lead to continued improvement, ensuring that each student is present, engaged, and thriving.”

For more information on the importance of attendance and how it impacts school funding, visit SBISD’s Every Day Counts website.