Attendance

Oct 02, 2025

How Sanger USD Cut Chronic Absenteeism by 2.8 Points Through Latino Family Engagement

By Dr. Kara Stern • 4 min

Attendance,District Success,Family Engagement

TL;DR

Latino families show remarkable commitment to education when schools create the right opportunities for connection. New data from 172 districts reveals that 45.8% of Hispanic/Latino families improve attendance after just one contact. Sanger USD transforms this insight into action through systematic, culturally responsive approaches that achieved a 47% family response rate and 2.79% reduction in chronic absenteeism. The key: building multi-tiered communication systems that respect family values, creating multiple touchpoints for engagement, and focusing on opportunities rather than problems.

Watch the on-demand webinar→

When nearly half of Latino families respond positively to their first attendance outreach, something powerful is happening. On September 24, SchoolStatus partnered with ALAS (Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents) to explore how districts achieve Latino student attendance excellence through systematic, culturally responsive approaches.

The Data Reveals Family Commitment

SchoolStatus analyzed attendance data from 172 districts representing 1.3 million students for the 2024-2025 school year. The findings reveal Latino families’ deep commitment to education:

334,000+ Latino students improved attendance after just one school contact
45.8% save rate among Hispanic/Latino families
Latino families show consistent response rates across multiple academic years

This data challenges deficit-oriented thinking and demonstrates that family engagement works when districts create the right opportunities for connection.

Sanger USD: Turning Data Into Action

Sanger Unified School District demonstrates how to transform promising data into measurable results. With 13,634 students (69% Hispanic), the district has earned 24 California Distinguished School awards while serving a predominantly Latino community.

Key Results:

47% of Hispanic families improve attendance after the first intervention (above national averages)
30% attendance improvement for Hispanic families compared to 23% national average
2.79% reduction in chronic absenteeism (from 15.24% to 12.45% as of September 2025)

Diego Lopez, Sanger USD Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance, shared how the district achieves these outcomes through a systematic Plan, Do, Study, Act framework that includes:

Multi-Tiered Communication Systems

Weekly bilingual notifications sent in families’ home languages
3,662+ documented attendance meetings with families
Automated positive messaging celebrating student presence

Culturally Responsive Programming

One-Day Independent Study materials available in English, Spanish, and Hmong
Family workshops addressing attendance importance and punctuality
Community engagement activities like coffee hours and informational nights

Comprehensive Support Framework

Saturday School programming at all secondary sites
Student Attendance Review Board with wraparound services
Perfect attendance recognition and positive reinforcement campaigns

Building Trust Beyond Language Translation

Effective Latino family engagement transcends language barriers. Sanger’s approach recognizes that culturally responsive practice means:

Respecting family structures including extended family involvement in educational decisions
Understanding work schedules and offering flexible meeting times
Building trust through consistent, positive communication
Celebrating cultural values around education and family commitment

“Effective family engagement involves understanding families,” Lopez explains. “The focus becomes creating multiple ways to connect.”

Three Key Takeaways for Districts

1. Data Demonstrates Commitment

Nearly half of Latino families improve attendance after just one contact. This represents an opportunity for better systems.

2. Multiple Approaches Reach More Families

Respect timing and family structures beyond language fluency. Create various touchpoints that honor how Latino families make educational decisions.

3. Systems Drive Sustainable Results

Community partnerships plus technology equals measurable improvement. Build frameworks that work long-term rather than programs dependent on individual heroics.

Take Action Tomorrow

For superintendents and district leaders ready to improve Latino student attendance:

Start with these conversations:

How are we currently measuring family response to attendance outreach?
What communication channels reach families most effectively?
Where can we build systematic approaches rather than ad-hoc interventions?

Prioritize data capabilities that provide:

Real-time, student-level attendance insights
Early warning indicators for chronic absenteeism
Documented intervention tracking and outcomes
Integrated bilingual communication tools

Watch the on-demand webinar→

Ready to Transform Your Attendance Data?

SchoolStatus Attend helps districts create the systematic, culturally responsive approaches that Sanger USD uses to achieve excellence. Learn how your district can turn attendance data into lasting improvement.

Learn more about SchoolStatus Attend →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do districts measure family engagement effectiveness?

Track save rates (the percentage of students who improve attendance after intervention), document family meetings and responses, and analyze response patterns by student group. Focus on consistent data collection across all outreach efforts.

What communication tools work best for reaching Latino families?

Multi-channel approaches work best: automated bilingual text messages, phone calls in families’ preferred languages, printed materials sent home, and in-person meetings during flexible hours. Technology should supplement, not replace, personal connection.

How can districts support Latino families without Spanish-speaking staff?

Build partnerships with bilingual community organizations, use professional translation services for important documents, create visual communication aids, and focus on understanding cultural values around education and family decision-making.

What role does timing play in family engagement?

Significant impact. Families often need flexible meeting times that accommodate work schedules, childcare needs, and extended family involvement in decisions. Early morning, evening, and weekend options increase participation.

How do you balance positive messaging with accountability?

Frame attendance as opportunities for learning rather than compliance issues. Celebrate improvements, provide resources to address barriers, and maintain consistent, supportive communication that emphasizes the value each student brings to the school community.

What technology features should districts prioritize for attendance improvement?

Look for platforms that provide real-time student-level data, automated bilingual communications, documented intervention tracking, and integrated family engagement tools. The system should help identify patterns and support proactive outreach.

Dr. Kara Stern
Director, Education and Engagement

Dr. Kara Stern began her career as an ELA teacher, then shifted into administration as a middle school principal. Dr. Stern is a fervent advocate for equitable communication and family engagement. She spent five years as Executive Director at Math for America, where she designed the professional learning community that exists to this day. An unexpected move to Tel Aviv launched her into the world of EdTech where she became the Director of Education Content for Smore and then the Head of Content at SchoolStatus. Outside of work, she indulges her love for reading, devouring two novels weekly, with a particular fondness for heists and spy stories.