STARS Overview

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School Team Attendance Reconnection System (STARS)

Reconnection is at the core of what we do. Our team takes a restorative approach to improve student attendance. We work with each family to identify the reasons their student is missing school and map out a plan to meet their unique needs.

Schools can request a referral using the School Team Attendance Reconnection System (STARS) portal. STARS is an internal application for creating and updating referrals for reconnection as well as communicating and collaborating between our team and the school. There are four referral options detailed below and each have a set number of hours associated for billing purposes.

In addition to STARS referrals, our Team Lead is available for consultation around MTSS, data management, attendance protocols, legislative updates, etc. Any meetings or PD sessions outside of the STARS application have no cost to districts within Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, and Washington counties. Please see our "School Teams" subpage to the left for more information.

STARS Links

Reconnection Referral

What is a Reconnection Referral?
A case management approach with a continuous connection with a family for up to a 3 month period.

When should I use it?
When a school has completed their Tier I interventions and believes a family is better served by ongoing and individualized support.

What will the NWRESD Attendance Advisor do?
Home visits, phone calls, connection to resources, reconnection to school, communication with school, root causes discussions, follow up with family, mediation between family and school.

Non-Compliance Letter

What is a Non-Compliance Letter?
A letter with Oregon laws about attendance, the student’s current attendance rate, and a prompt to sign and return letter to the school.

When should I use it?
After a school has made unsuccessful attempts to contact a family and would like to alert them to the laws from a regional office.

What will the NWRESD Attendance Advisor do?
Send letter via certified mail and phone call to assist the family and connect back with the school team.

School Connection Meeting

What is a School Connection Meeting?
In-person, collaborative, problem solving meeting aimed at addressing root causes and addressing discrepancies between family and school’s perception of attendance concerns.

When should I use it?
When multiple interventions have been tried unsuccessfully and there is a need to improve relationships and clarify responsibilities.

What will the NWRESD Attendance Advisor do?
In-person meeting facilitated by an Attendance Advisor to review attendance history, discuss strengths and concerns, & establish an action plan for school and family.

Prevention Referral

What is a Prevention Referral?
Check in with the family to make a connection, remind them of importance of attendance, and discuss any potential barriers.

When should I use it?
Within the first month of school for a student(s) with a concerning attendance rate from the previous school year.

What will the NWRESD Attendance Advisor do?
One home visit attempt or meaningful connection to establish contact with the family and report back to the school what the outcome was.

Chronic Absenteeism

- All absences (excused, unexcused, suspensions, etc.)
- Emphasizes impact of missed days
- Seen as an indicator for concern
- 10% or more of missed school

Truancy

- Only unexcused absences
- Emphasizes compliance
- Relies on legal and punitive solutions
- Eight half days or four full days in a four-week period

Why do I not see an option for a Truancy Citation anymore?

The Class C Violation was removed from truancy law by Senate Bill 817. If you have any questions or want to discuss this legislative change further, please contact our department to set up a meeting or phone call.

Supporting Resources

Oregon Revised Statutes for School Attendance
Oregon truancy laws and enforcement FAQ document (in revision)

STARS Account Registration

Request a STARS Account

Every school team should only have one designated account.

Contact

Email Attendance Services

503-614-1295

Stay Connected

FAQs

How can an NWRESD attendance advisor help my school team?

School attendance teams are an essential part of building foundational supports in your building. It is best practice to have a way of monitoring student attendance data and creating an MTSS approach with documentation of attendance interventions. It is also important to recognize inequalities within policies, practices and systems to ensure your team's approach is most effective and equitable for all students. An NWRESD attendance advisor will help you develop a sustainable plan to incorporate all of the necessary steps to increase overall attendance and support all of your students. Whether you are beginning to build your attendance team or just want fresh eyes to check in on your process, an NWRESD advisor is here to assist you. Email attendanceservices@nwresd.k12.or.us to get started.
How do I meet with a NWRESD attendance advisor?

Email the Attendance Services department at attendanceservices@nwresd.k12.or.us and an attendance advisor will get back to you regarding your request.
What happens after I submit a STARS referral?

After submitting a STARS referral, the student will be assigned to one of our attendance advisors or truancy officer. Once the case is assigned, we will look over the attached documentation, notes and case history. We will then take the necessary steps outlined for each referral and report back to you via the "Notes" tab. Anytime we input something into the Notes feature, you will receive an email. You can add any updates, additional information or communication into the "Notes" section of the referral at any time to continue communication with the referral. To view all of the recorded notes, use the "History" tab in the referral.
How do I update a STARS referral with new information?

If new information comes up that you would like to communicate with our team, you can use the "Notes" feature in the STARS referral that has already been submitted. The staff member assigned to the referral will get an update that a new note has been submitted and will respond accordingly. To look at a history of notes, click on the "History" tab.
What information do I need to submit a STARS referral?

Student name, SSID, date of birth, parent information, home address, phone number, if translation services will be needed, and documentation of total absences. For a reconnection referral, a student does not need to meet the truancy criteria. For initial referrals, mandatory meetings, and citations, truancy criteria needs to be documented and uploaded into the STARS database when making the referral. Any additional information you can provide is helpful when making contact with the family. You can add information upon entering a referral and additional information using the "Notes" feature after a referral is made.
What is the truancy criteria?

Truancy is when a student has missed eight unexcused half days or four unexcused full days in a four-week period.

More FAQs

Northwest Regional Education Service District