Lorain Schools Leans Into Attendance With Data, Determination, and Browns Spirit

By The LCS Communications Department | Lisa Roberson

LORAIN — For the past six weeks, regardless of the Cleveland Browns' win-loss record, Assistant Superintendent Michael Scott has visited one elementary and one secondary school in Lorain to bestow a coveted Browns fan chain. The bright orange statement necklace — repurposed as the Titan Attendance Chain — is awarded to the schools with the highest attendance for the week.

The idea sparked after Scott attended a Browns preseason game, where his son's enthusiasm for the oversized chain inspired a playful approach to a serious issue: getting students to school every day.

The Titan Attendance Chain Challenge is more than a nod to team spirit. It's part of a broader effort to address one of the district's most persistent challenges: chronic absenteeism. Lorain City Schools is now in its second year of partnership with the Cleveland Browns Foundation's Stay in the Game! Network, which works with schools statewide to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.

"The Browns chain is fun, but underneath the celebration is a serious message: we need students in class to help them succeed," Scott said.

A Data-Driven Push for Progress

Each week, schools strive to meet a 95% average daily attendance (ADA) goal. The buildings that come closest are honored with a visit from district leaders, social media shoutouts, and ultimately, the plan is a year-end celebration for the school that racks up the most wins.

But the celebrations are only part of a broader strategy grounded in data, accountability, and outreach. Every Tuesday morning, district leaders gather to review attendance trends and conduct a detailed analysis of student-by-student data. At this point in the school year, the team is focused on identifying "no-shows"—students who have not attended a single day of school but are registered Titans.

To verify enrollment, staff make multiple phone calls using both current and prior-year contact records, send certified letters, and dispatch compliance officers for home visits. If students have moved, the district works with other school systems to confirm their enrollment. Students are only removed from Lorain's rosters after thorough verification.

"This is about more than cleaning up our data," said Executive Director of Wraparound Services Dr. Stephen Sturgill. "We do this to find out if we have some internal issues or problems—and we can fix them. We also do this to ensure that students and families who need supports receive them."

Students who haven't been located are flagged for deeper outreach, while those facing known barriers, such as transportation, housing instability, or health issues, are connected to supports.

Why It Matters

Chronic absenteeism, as defined by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce as missing 10% or more of school days, remains a significant hurdle for Lorain. Last year, nearly 60% of students were chronically absent, a number that has remained consistent for more than five years.

"During COVID, we focused so much of our language on telling families to stay home, and now we have to keep telling them we want them to come back," said Assistant Superintendent Ross May.

District leaders acknowledge that simply getting students in the door for the first few weeks isn't enough. Attendance data shows that student participation often drops sharply in October, and again after winter break.

School-Level Solutions and Culture Shifts

The challenge of boosting attendance has become a districtwide priority, with each school building developing its own strategies to engage students and inform families. At Success Academy, the Week 6 secondary school winner with 88.9% ADA, Principal Kenneth Gettis summed up the school's approach in one word: anything.

"We do a little bit of everything," Gettis said. "We're sending staff members to homes, doing Fun Day Fridays, encouraging families by phone, email, or text—really, what are we not doing?"

At Palm Elementary, Assistant Principal Cristina Alarcon said staff talk about attendance every day.

"If we show that attendance is important, the kids will think it's important—and we can ask parents to do the same," Alarcon said.

Principal Julie Colaizzi added that students who meet attendance goals receive daily encouragement through an incentive calendar, where they earn special incentives like extra prize cart visits or Titan Dollars.

"We've had really good success with that," she said. "Sometimes kids just need a little reminder that showing up matters."

But the focus isn't just about being present, it's about building connection.

"It's so fun here," Colaizzi said. "They get to come in, have a soft opening, connect with friends and teachers, and build relationships. If they're not here, it's a missed opportunity to build relationships and enjoy being in this environment."