Springfield Public Schools - New Multilingual Attendance Tool

The Springfield Public Schools (SPS) School Committee and Subcommittee held a meeting on September 2, 2026, to discuss the implementation of a new multilingual AI-powered attendance tool aimed at improving student attendance and communication with families. The tool, developed in partnership with the company EDIA, enables real-time tracking of student attendance and facilitates two-way communication via text messages in multiple languages, helping to address barriers families may face and ensuring student safety. The pilot program at Central High School showed a nearly 4% reduction in chronic absenteeism and a 5% increase in course passing rates, leading to plans for district-wide rollout. School leaders and committee members expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to improve student outcomes and family engagement. The meeting emphasized the importance of this procurement as a strategic investment in student well-being and educational success, with ongoing collaboration between the district and the vendor to expand the program.