Caddo Schools See Major Attendance Gains After Policy Shift

Caddo Parish schools are seeing a noticeable increase in student attendance this school year, following districtwide changes aimed at keeping kids in classrooms and strengthening support for families. District leaders say updated policies, staff realignment, and new community partnerships are already showing results across dozens of campuses.

Caddo Schools Superintendent Keith Burton recently told KEEL News that attendance has become one of the district’s top priorities for the 2024–25 school year. While some statewide data reflects last year’s numbers, Burton says current figures tell a different story, one that shows meaningful improvement not just in Caddo Parish, but across surrounding districts as well.

More Caddo Students Back in Classrooms

District officials report that more than 30 schools are showing measurable gains in attendance, with some campuses seeing dramatic reductions in chronic absences. At Huntington High School alone, the number of chronically absent students has dropped by more than 100 compared to last year, according to district reviews of the most recent data.

When comparing this school year to last, Burton says overall attendance concerns have dropped by more than 50 percent districtwide, a shift he credits to early intervention and consistent follow-up with families.

Changing How Caddo Schools Respond

Rather than relying on end-of-year reporting, the district adjusted how attendance issues are addressed early on. Central office staff were reassigned to campuses with the greatest needs, and schools were encouraged to reach out to families as soon as students began missing class.

READ MORE: Shreveport Seeing a Surge of Flu Activity

Burton said the approach focuses on understanding what is actually keeping students from school, whether that is transportation challenges, family circumstances, health issues, or school-based concerns such as academic struggles or relationships with peers.

Community Partnerships Making a Difference

District leaders also pointed to partnerships with local organizations as a key factor. Programs involving Volunteers of America, community renewal efforts, and pilot “We Care” school initiatives have helped schools provide additional support to students and families.

Those programs, modeled after neighborhood-based care strategies, are now being applied directly to schools and are showing early signs of success in improving daily attendance and school engagement.

Looking Ahead for Caddo Schools

Burton acknowledged that attendance challenges increased after the pandemic, with disrupted routines and changing attitudes toward school. He says the district’s updated policies and renewed focus are aimed at restoring consistency while keeping communication with families front and center.