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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Located within the Office of College Career Success, Student Support and Engagement (OSSE) works with schools and networks to establish systems of support to keep all students on track and engaged in school.  OSSE provides comprehensive support to help students become more connected and engaged in school. We provide re-engagement services for out-of-school youth; resources to eliminate barriers for students in temporary living situations; attendance and truancy guidance for families, schools, and networks; and extended learning opportunities to enhance all students’ core academic experience while engaging parents and community members in school-led activities. As part of OSSE, the Department of Attendance and Enrollment supports networks, schools, and families in addressing systemic and individual needs at multiple levels to holistically take on the root causes of absence and chronic absenteeism. 

Job Summary: 

The Attendance Support Specialist will collaborate closely with school-based staff within an assigned portfolio of CPS schools across the district to assist with the administration of effective, consistent student attendance policies and procedures, monitoring the accuracy of attendance data and ensuring adherence to state and local attendance regulations. This position will serve as a subject matter expert, providing guidance, supporting initiatives for improving student attendance, maintaining accurate records and promoting a positive experience for schools, students, and their families. The Attendance Support Specialist will report to the Attendance and Truancy Manager. 

The Attendance Support Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Support the Attendance and Truancy Manager in developing, implementing, and administering standardized, district-wide student attendance strategies, policies and practices to ensure adherence to state and local attendance regulations
• Assist with the development and implementation of attendance improvement strategies, including incentives and support programs
• Collaborate with department Data Analysts to obtain student attendance data and reports; review, monitor, and regularly audit student attendance data and documentation to ensure accuracy and adherence to established policies and procedures, identify and address discrepancies, and monitor school-based compliance on matters such as:
  • Accuracy and timeliness of attendance submissions and related tasks/duties
  • Appropriate documentation of student and family outreach efforts

• Analyze student attendance data to identify and gain a better understanding of trends, patterns, and attendance barriers; use data-driven insights to develop targeted solutions and make strategic recommendations for improving chronic absenteeism
• Provide targeted coaching support on attendance processes and strategies to an assigned portfolio of schools and/or teams identified through data audits as in need of assistance with attendance policy implementation or intervention, for example:
  • Assisting with correcting identified data discrepancies, providing clarification of record keeping and process expectations
  • Supporting re-entry efforts, as necessary
• Provide district-wide guidance and support at critical points throughout the school year to share insight on student attendance trends (e.g., the beginning of a new school year, before and after extended breaks, and 4th quarter.)
• Act as a point of contact for school staff (ex, school clerks), sharing relevant resources such as comprehensive, family-facing resources regarding student attendance
• Collaborate with colleagues on the Student Enrollment team to ensure ongoing communication regarding attendance initiatives, procedural updates, timelines, and deadlines
• Support the effective, ongoing documentation of student attendance procedural changes, enhancements, and advancements to ensure an accurate record of progress toward achieving department goals
• Assist with coordinating ongoing and day-to-day attendance-related projects and tasks, including project planning, scheduling, tracking data, and compiling feedback
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Attendance Support Specialist must possess the following qualifications: 

 Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in project/program coordination, including the following, is required:
• • Experience supporting the implementation and administration of large-scale systems and policies 
  • Experience supporting or assisting with change management processes
• Experience in a school-based setting supporting complex processes and/or operations strongly preferred

Other Requirements:

• Access to transportation to travel between work sites is required
• Valid Driver’s License and vehicle access preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to build trusting, collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including participating schools/networks and external partners, to foster support, trust, and ensure programs operate in the most effective manner possible to produce positive results and support schools and students
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Knowledge of, or ability to develop proficiency in, current federal, state, and local laws, regulations, CPS policies, and best practices related to student attendance, absenteeism, truancy, and dropout.
• High levels of attention to detail and effective time management skills; capable of managing multiple projects/tasks simultaneously, driving them to completion and and producing high-quality results
• Capable of success whether working independently or as a collaborative team member
• Technical capabilities, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (ie: Excel and Google sheets)
• Solid understanding of the student population being served and challenges that may be faced, strongly preferred

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency -Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 -Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.