School leaders discuss absenteeism and strategize ways to increase attendance

As schools across the country combat chronic absenteeism, school leaders share their strategies for increasing attendance. These strategies range from student advisory periods to school service programs. School leaders also share that they rely on data to gain insight into the causes of absenteeism and inform their approach to solutions. 

  • “Attendance up. Grades up. Negative behaviors down. Love when data tells a story. I believe our new “Coyote Connections” advisory period is working well. Students seem to be more engaged with positive outcomes this year.” —High School Principal in California
  • “Continuing to do research on chronic absenteeism of students in schools. Students & families need to feel (re)connected to school again. Let us consider how to be more proactive rather than reactive. Let us consider finding ways to motivate students to want to show up to school.” —School Leader in New York
  • “In our community, we have learned to think out of the box. We created a school service program for our 8th graders where they help clean the cafeteria and work with preK students. This  provides them with new purpose and has even improved attendance.” —Middle School Social Studies Teacher
  • “[What data are you] looking at midyear and[ how are you] using it in your 2nd half to win big?” —Elementary Assistant Principal in Indiana 
    • “Attendance data, but we also have Progress Monitoring Data we can compare to Baseline Data from the first few weeks of school in the 4 core academic areas.” —High School Principal in Florida
    • “We are starting with attendance data.  Plenty of academic data to review but if kids are not in school they cannot learn.  Getting to the root of chronic issues and seeking solutions is the key.” —Elementary Principal Pennsylvania
  • “Did you know over 15 million students are projected to miss over a month of school this year due to chronic absenteeism!?! We’re here to address this issue with our Learn2Earn program! Help us Impact 1 million students Nationwide!” —Principal in California
  • “We love having our students lead the way in PWCS! We are so excited to launch the attendance campaign that includes promo materials, messaging, and recognitions!  Goal:  Decrease Chronic Absenteeism.  We can do it.” —School Leader in Virginia
  • “It takes us all coming together to tackle chronic absenteeism. I am so grateful for these families for helping us make improvements. They were all recognized today for improved attendance. Some of my students have perfect attendance!” —Elementary Principal in Virginia 
  • “Working on the attendance improvement committee, we have successfully lowered our school wide average of chronic absenteeism below the state average! Proud of our students for showing up and seeing value in their success.” —Administrator in New Jersey
    • “That’s impressive! I’d love to know more about how you did this.” —Educator, N/A
      • “Visuals about attendance statistics, contacting and surveying both the students and parents, assembly for chronically absent students, individual check ins with CA students, dedicated team who want to see students thrive and communicating that to parents and students.” —Administrator in New Jersey
  • “PA released a master document of every school’s data and their economic disadvantage rate. Unsurprisingly the lower the poverty rate, the higher the proficiency, regular attendance, and graduation rates were. Shocker.” —Elementary Principal in Pennsylvania 
  • “I started letting students come and game on our esports equipment during lunch (about 20 min a day). Suspensions have dropped 27% and attendance is up 21%! Something so easy is incredibly effective!!” —Educator in Georgia
  • “As we approach a new legislative session, let’s remember the attendance concerns being discussed by lawmakers falls on parents. Vacations & travel are outside the school’s scope & in fairness falls when parents have time off from their employers. Don’t blame the schools.” —Elementary Principal in Indiana 
  • “School leaders, do you want to build an aspirational environment to increase student attendance!?! Build a culturally relevant house system and cascade your incentives and discipline! Thank me later!” —Principal in California