Ohio Schools Receive Boost in Attendance Efforts as “Stay in the Game!” Network Impacts 61 Districts
COLUMBUS, OH – A statewide initiative aimed at improving student attendance reached 61 school districts across Northeast Ohio during September’s Attendance Awareness Month, the stay in the Game! Attendance Network (SITG!) announced today. The program, a collaboration between the Cleveland Browns Foundation, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and Harvard’s Proving Ground (now managed by Battelle), is working towards a goal of decreasing chronic absenteeism by 50% over the next five years.
Consistent school attendance is a key predictor of academic success. Students with good attendance are 3.9 times more likely too read at grade level by third grade and three times more likely to graduate high school on time.Though,data from the 2023-24 school year revealed that 25.1% of Ohio students were chronically absent – a statistic SITG! is actively working to change.
Throughout September, SITG! hosted a series of events to highlight the importance of regular school attendance. These included back-to-school visits from Cleveland Browns players S Grant Delpit and G Joel Bitonio, a “Principal for a Day” appearance by Browns DT Shelby Harris, and special guest appearances at Browns home games and practices. Weekly contests also recognized schools and students demonstrating a commitment to improved attendance.
Launched in 2019, SITG! now partners with the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati to extend its reach across the state, impacting over 580,000 students in 218 schools. The network recently welcomed three new “Stay in the Game!” Ambassadors - Bitonio, Delpit, and Harris – joining WR Cedric Tillman in supporting educational initiatives statewide.
“Every day in school matters, and we know that attendance in the frist month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year,” said Renee Harvey, Vice president of Community Impact and Foundation. “So, while we support schools year-round, Attendance Awareness Month gives us the prospect to partner with school districts, recognize students and start the school year strong.”
Harvey added, “With the help of our ambassadors, we’re able to connect with students in meaningful ways that keep them motivated to show up and succeed throughout the whole school year.”
The initiative aligns with a pledge made by Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin to prioritize improved student attendance across Ohio.
