Why School Attendance Matters
Chronic absence is a measure of how much school a student misses for any reason. It is a broader measure than truancy, which only tracks unexcused absences. Starting in the early grades, the percentage of students missing 10 percent of the school year can reach remarkably high levels, and these early absences can rob students of the time they need to develop literacy skills.
The Facts:
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One in 10 kindergarten students miss nearly a month of school every year. In some districts, it runs as high as 1 in 3.
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Kindergarteners who miss 10% of school days have lower academic performance when they reach first grade.
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Among children from low-income families who lack the resources to make up lost time, chronic absence in kindergarten translated into lower fifth grade achievement.
Our Strategies:
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Connecting parents and families to schools and their educators.
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Bringing awareness to students and families about the importance of good attendance in a fun and inviting way.
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Engaging and educating the community and its businesses on the importance of healthy attendance.