Gaps persist in CMSD scores for students who are black or have disabilities

Fewer CMSD students flagged as chronically absent

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) has seen a decline this year in chronic absenteeism, defined as when a student misses at least 10% of school days. CEO Warren Morgan told school board members at a recent meeting that he expects further declines when final attendance numbers for the school year are finalized. However, black students and students with disabilities showed more modest increases in attendance.

Like many schools across the country, CMSD is struggling to regain pre-pandemic student attendance. Before 2020, just over a third of students were considered chronically absent. That number rose to 55% in the 2020-21 school year and peaked at 64% in the 2021-22 school year. Last year, 63% of students were chronically absent.

Morgan said he expects that number to drop to about 55% once data for the 2023-2024 school year is finalized. He also said CMSD has implemented more training for school secretaries, positive attendance campaigns and an absenteeism task force to work with students who never show up for class.

The overall decline in chronic absenteeism was driven by white students, who make up only a small percentage — 13.5 percent — of the district’s student body. Black students and students with disabilities also saw declines, but they were smaller, at about 4 percent.

Gaps extend beyond attendance for CMSD’s black students and students with disabilities

Out-of-school suspensions are another situation where black students and students with disabilities are overrepresented, Morgan said during the presentation. For example, 81% of students suspended were black, despite making up only 63% of the student body. Students with disabilities made up 36% of suspensions, despite making up only 26% of the student body.

Overall, suspensions are up 2% this school year compared to last school year. Suspensions were significantly higher before winter break and dropped in the second half of the school year. Morgan said CMSD added interventions in the middle of the school year, which he believes helped with the drop.

Morgan said he believes these gaps potentially indicate that disciplinary policies are not being applied fairly across all demographics of CMSD students. He said they analyze suspension numbers each month, adjust disciplinary policies across schools and create a Principal’s Handbook to help create and maintain a school culture.

Looking beyond high school

More students are thinking about college — or at least filling out forms to apply for federal financial aid — in 2024 than in recent years, according to Morgan’s presentation.

For example, the number of students who filed FAFSA forms for financial aid for college increased from 40% in 2022 to 48% in 2024. The number of students filing at least one application for college admission also increased from 54% in 2022 to 61% in 2024.

The goal is for every CMSD senior to complete a FAFSA, even if they don’t plan on going to college, Morgan said. CMSD has partnered with College Now Greater Cleveland to host FAFSA workshops for students and their families, he said.

CMSD is also working to ensure that 90 percent of college graduates will be employed or join the military within five years.

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