Information and Research
Information and findings grounded in data or studies around the importance of attendance and ways of addressing absenteeism
Embedded Files
Are Relationships the Key to Solving
America's School Absenteeism Crisis
An article advocating for relationship-building, early intervention, and community-based, non-punitive solutions to create positive learning environments and re-engage students in their education to support student attendance.
Audience: Administrators, Staff
Source: EdSurge
New Research: Schoolwide Chronic Absence Affects All Students
A study of over 50,000 K-3 students in Delaware found that schools with higher average absences saw steep declines in Math and ELA proficiency rates for all students, not just those who are frequently absent. The authors recommend interventions that address both individual and schoolwide absenteeism, especially targeting vulnerable student groups and tailoring solutions to each school community’s context.
Audience: Administrators, Staff
Source: Attendance Works
With "Chronic Absenteeism" soaring in schools, most parents aren't sure what it is
A poll reveals that only about one-third of parents can accurately define "chronic absenteeism," and just 6% believe their own child is affected, indicating a significant gap between perception and reality. Experts emphasize that even missing two days a month can severely impact a student's academic progress, yet many families remain unaware of the cumulative effects of such absences.
Audience: Administrators, Staff
Source: NPR News
Students Are Missing School Because
They’re Too Anxious to Show Up
A survey of 1034 high school students in 2023 found that the top reasons for missing school were physical illness, bad weather, and student anxiety. Worsening mental health contributes to chronic absenteeism, and schools can play a major role in helping students access mental health and wellness services.
Audience: Administrators, Staff
Source: EducationWeek
Information and resources in multiple languages for parents and community members who may be approached by US immigration officials.
Audience: Administrators, Staff, Students and Families
Source: South Whittier School District
Training materials, guides, and resources available in multiple languages to help school communities create safe environments for students by identifying and preventing abusive behaviors.
Audience: Administrators, Staff, Students and Families
Source: Contra Costa County Office of Education
Rethinking Chronic Absenteeism in California
An article outlining how chronic absenteeism is an "ecological" issue, caused by a complex combination of factors, and that purely school-based approaches are insufficient to address chronic absenteeism. Educators and policymakers must work on addressing conditions outside of school that contribute to chronic absenteeism, such as health care, housing, transportation, and social services.
Audience: Administrators
Source: Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE)
Reducing Chronic Absenteeism:
Lessons from Community Schools
This research report showcases how four community schools significantly reduced their chronic absenteeism rates and highlights the proactive and interventionist strategies that the schools used. The report describes the learnings from the success of these strategies.
Audience: Administrators, Staff
Source: Learning Policy Institute
Embracing a New Normal: Toward a More Liberatory Approach to Family Engagement
A research paper and call-to-action for how schools can cultivate effective partnerships between families and educators by examining existing dynamics and moving towards family engagement practices that are liberatory, solidarity-driven, and equity-focused.
Audience: Administrators, Teachers, Staff
Source: Carnegie Foundation
Applying an Evidence-Based
Improvement Framework When
Selecting Attendance Interventions
Six-page guidance developed to support leadership teams through the application of an evidence-based improvement framework to identify attendance interventions that are aligned with local needs.
Audience: Administrators, Staff
Source: REL West, Institute of Education Sciences
How School Nurses Can Help Fight
Chronic Absenteeism
An article showcasing research about the impact of health-related issues on attendance rates and strategies that school nurses have implemented to address them.
Audience: Administrators, School Nurses, Staff
Source: Harvard Kennedy School
School Nurses' Role in Combating
Chronic Absenteeism
A two-page resource outlining the critical role that school nurses can play in reducing chronic absenteeism with examples from the field.
Audience: Administrators, School Nurses, Staff
Source: National Association of School Nurses
The Attendance Playbook provides many strategies for providing universal, targeted, and intensive support for addressing absenteeism. Each section describes a strategy and the problem it solves, provides supporting research, identifies whether it should be universal or targeted, and provides examples where the strategy was used successfully.
Audience: School and District Leadership Teams
Source: FutureEd, Attendance Works
Continuum of Support for
Attendance and Engagement
A guide providing an overview of tiered supports to improve attendance and engagement within the MTSS framework.
Audience: Administrators
Source: California MTSS
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