The Evolution and Impact of the SCGLR Attendance Awareness Poster Contest

Since its inception in 2015, the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s (SCGLR) Attendance Awareness Poster Contest has evolved and strengthened. Initially launched as a two-county initiative, the contest was one of SCGLR’s pioneering programs designed to combat chronic absenteeism among students. Over the years, it has grown in scope and impact, reflecting a commitment to improving student attendance and educational outcomes across a broader region.

A Foundation for Success
The poster contest was co-designed with educators from Sarasota and Manatee counties, leveraging insights from Attendance Works, a national organization dedicated to reducing chronic absenteeism. From the start, the contest aimed to engage students, families, and educators in a dialogue about the importance of attendance. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, was identified as a critical issue impacting student success. The contest provided a creative platform for raising awareness and promoting positive attendance habits.
In its early years, the contest reached PreK through Grade 12 students in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The scope was intentionally broad, reflecting the initial ambition of SCGLR to address attendance issues at multiple educational levels. This approach also helped introduce the community to SCGLR’s five pillars: School Readiness, Attendance, Summer Learning, Parent and Family Engagement, and Health Determinants.

Expansion and Refinement
In 2018, the contest expanded to include Charlotte and DeSoto counties, broadening its reach and impact. This expansion also came with a strategic refinement: the focus shifted to PreK through Grade 5. This adjustment aligned the contest more closely with SCGLR’s emphasis on early education and allowed for more targeted interventions in the crucial early years of schooling.

During its first four years, the contest featured school-level prizes such as tickets to Circus Sarasota or Major-League Spring Training games. While these rewards were well-intentioned, it became apparent that asset-limited families, who were often the primary focus, faced challenges in utilizing these prizes. Consequently, in the 2019-2020 school year, the prize structure was modified to include Amazon gift cards, which proved to be a more accessible form of recognition.

The contest also initially included a regional component with community judges selecting winners for each grade level, who received iPads. However, this was suspended in 2019 due to diminished impact compared to school-level recognition.

Innovative Engagement Strategies
To boost school participation, SCGLR introduced a jingle, music video, and choreography themed Strive for Less than 5 Days Absent in 2018. These resources were used creatively by schools, including flash-mob events, to reinforce the message of the importance of attendance and to create a positive school atmosphere. On average, 70 schools participate in the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest each year, and approximately 47,000 original Attendance Awareness Posters are created annually, reflecting the contest’s widespread engagement and creative impact.

The pandemic presented significant challenges, disrupting many of SCGLR’s planned initiatives. Despite these setbacks, the partnership with Attendance Works led to a significant overhaul of attendance communication strategies in Sarasota County. This collaboration resulted in a public-facing dashboard with real-time attendance data and an improved system for monitoring and addressing absenteeism. Sarasota’s efforts gained national attention, showcasing effective strategies to other districts.

A New Era of Focus
The post-pandemic period has seen a worrying rise in chronic absenteeism, underscoring the continuing relevance of SCGLR’s initiatives. The 2022-2023 data revealed that chronic absenteeism rates have surged, particularly in Charlotte, DeSoto, and Manatee counties. In response, SCGLR has introduced the Motivating Improved Attendance (MIA) program for the 2024-2025 school year. This new component focuses on schools with 3rd-grade reading scores below the state average, offering targeted support and positive reinforcement to improve attendance among students at risk.

Looking Ahead
The SCGLR Attendance Awareness Poster Contest has proven to be a dynamic and adaptable program, continually evolving to meet the needs of the community. With ongoing support from The Patterson Foundation and a focus on strategic innovations, the contest remains a vital tool in the broader mission of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed academically through consistent school attendance.