FY 25-26 STUDENT SUCCESS & ATTENDANCE SPECIALIST

JOB TITLE: Student Success & Attendance Specialist

STATUS: Full Time, Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Community Schools

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center (“Vaughn”), located in Pacoima, is a large urban public school within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Since the early 1970s, low student achievement had been a pattern. In 1993, tired of being helpless and hopeless, Vaughn became the first conversion charter school in the nation and was authorized by LAUSD. The charter was renewed most recently in 2018. Vaughn has over 25 years of experience as a successful independent charter school serving the district’s low-income students. This previously failing elementary public school is now a full-service, community-based, K-12th charter school that assures all students are college/career ready, digitally literate, and globally competent. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Student Success & Attendance Specialist is dedicated to building a positive, community-focused school culture that inspires excitement and engagement in learning. This role is pivotal in tracking student attendance, identifying attendance barriers, and implementing initiatives to boost school engagement and retention. Collaborating closely with school staff, including case managers, the specialist works to reduce chronic absenteeism and promote a strong culture of attendance. Additionally, the incumbent fosters a math-focused learning environment that actively involves and engages both students and families, ensuring the growth of their numeracy skills by integrating real-life applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities:

Promote a Positive School Culture

• Develop and implement comprehensive initiatives that foster a supportive and inclusive school environment.
• Collaborate with students, staff, and families to create a sense of belonging and pride in the school community.
• Establish programs to celebrate student achievements, promote positive behavior, and encourage active participation in learning.

Monitor and Improve Attendance

• Utilize data-driven approaches to track student attendance patterns and identify trends and barriers.
• Lead efforts to consistently reduce chronic absenteeism through evidence-based strategies such as early intervention systems, mentoring programs, and school-wide attendance campaigns.
• Work closely with school staff, case managers, and families to implement these strategies effectively.

Provide Targeted Support

• Lead the case management team to be able to work directly with students and families to identify underlying issues, such as transportation, health concerns, or family dynamics negatively impacting their attendance.
• Ensure that personalized, case-managed support is provided by connecting families to resources, including counseling, community services, and academic interventions.
• Ensure that support plans are culturally responsive and tailored to the unique needs of each family and student.

Strengthen Family and Student Engagement

• Develop initiatives that build trust and