Katy ISD's attendance incentive initiative has seen a third consecutive year of growth, officials said.
The overview
The Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow Attendance Incentive Initiative update, which was shared with the Katy ISD board of trustees at a July 27 meeting, showed a nearly one percentage-point increase from 94.2% in 2021-22 to 95.2% in 2025-26.
The initiative launched in 2023-24 following a roughly 2% post-pandemic decline in student attendance, said Emily Craig, assistant superintendent of school leadership and campus support. The decline negatively impacted the district due to state funding being tied to attendance, which predicts student outcomes.
How it works
Although it’s a districtwide program, each campus has its own strategy that correlates with what works best for its students. Data is also tracked to measure results, and revenue generated from improved attendance goes back to the campuses that earn it.
Before funds are dispersed, the district’s attendance rate must go up by at least 0.1% from the previous year, while each campus will earn based on how much their own attendance rate improved from the previous year.
Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, campuses already above their level’s average earned an incentive for sustaining their attendance.
The impact
Based on the $6,215 basic student allotment given by the state, Assistant Superintendent of Finance Jamey Hynds said the district has seen over 800 additional students in class, bringing in over $5 million annually for Katy ISD.
Additionally, Hynds said attendance rates are up for economically disadvantaged students, special education, emergent bilingual and students experiencing homelessness.
Other statistics from the student attendance incentive initiative include:
- 53 district campuses received an attendance award in the 2025-26 school year
- 31 campuses were rewarded for maintaining high attendance
Going forward
Since the initiative has experienced three straight years of progress, Craig said the goal for 2026-27 is to focus on holiday and year-end stretches of time where families are more likely to go on vacation and to sustain momentum.
