The Gazebo Gazette
JACKSON (GG) — On Monday, October 27, two schools from the Pass Christian Public School District were recognized by the Mississippi Lieutenant Governor’s Office for High Attendance Rates. The Pass Christian Elementary and Middles Schools were the two schools mentioned by Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann.
130 Mississippi schools have been recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Attendance Award for maintaining strong student attendance and chronic absenteeism rates 15% or below.
The Mississippi Department of Education’s 2024-2025 report shows the statewide chronic absenteeism rate rose from 24.4% to 27.6%, meaning more than one in four students were chronically absent. Despite the statewide increase, these schools stood out for keeping students in class and engaged.
“Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic and life-long success,” Hosemann said. “Chronic absenteeism is rampant in our state. These schools, their teachers, and families are making daily efforts to ensure students are present and learning. Their hard work deserves recognition.”
Reducing chronic absenteeism has been one of Hosemann’s top education priorities, and will continue to be going into the 2026 Legislative Session. His upcoming proposals include placing a School Attendance Officer in every district, raising their salaries, and reducing the educational requirement from a bachelor’s degree to an associate’s degree to help fill these vital roles. Other education priorities include a teacher pay raise and incentives to encourage retired teachers to return to the classroom.
Schools recognized this year represent every region of the state and include elementary, middle, and high schools. Each will receive a certificate of recognition from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.
