LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Increasing student engagement was one of the main goals when Jefferson County Public Schools resumed virtual learning in the fall. Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio promised the second round of non-traditional instruction (NTI) would be different from the hurried approach students and families faced in the spring and named the revamped virtual learning "NTI 2.0."

Before the 2020-2021 school year began, Pollio said the district maintained 90% participation during the first round of NTI, something he called a “monumental success” compared to other large districts that saw participation rates as low as 50-70%.

The model, however, failed to reach all students. Of the district’s 98,000 students, JCPS did not have contact or participation with 568 students in the spring. While Pollio called that a relatively low number, he said it was still too many kids going without instruction or services and committed to increasing participation during NTI 2.0.

With the first half of the school year behind them, JCPS now says there are fewer than 150 students with whom the district has had no participation or contact.

School social workers like Amy Logsdon-Risley have a lot to do with the improved engagement. She and her team in the JCPS Department of Pupil Personnel are working to track down these missing students one by one.

“Schools are an avenue for all kinds of needs being met whether it be for food, safety, for some of those kids to reach out if something is happening that is unsafe in their home or their community,” Logsdon-Risley said. “If we can’t get ahold [of families] we’re doing home visits, which we’re calling front porch visits to stay safe and keep a safe distance. But we’re diligent in following up until we find that child to make sure they’re OK.”

In the event she and her team cannot get in touch with a student, they contact the Cabinet of Health and Family Services for help. JCPS encourages parents to reach out if their student is having a hard time participating in NTI or completing their assignments.