• "Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success—both in school and in life. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school." 

    Attendance badge 2019  
     
     
    Why Attendance Matters:
    • Exposure to language:  Starting in Pre-K, attendance equals exposure to language-rich environments especially for low-income children.  
    • Time on Task in Class:  Students only benefit from classroom instruction if they are in class.
    • On Track for Success:  Chronic absence is a proven early warning sign that a student is behind in reading by 3rd grade, failing middle & high school classes, and likely to drop-out.
    • College Readiness:  Attendance patterns predict college enrollment and persistence.
    • Engagement:  Attendance reflects engagement in learning.  
     
    Get the Facts:
    A Rhode Island Data Hub analysis found that compared to kindergartners who attend regularly, those chronically absent:
    •Scored 20% lower in reading and math in later grades and gap grows
    •2X as likely to be retained in grade.
    •2X likely to be suspended by the end of 7th grade.
    •Likely to continue being chronically absent
     
    Chronically absent 9th graders are 10xs more likely to not graduate on time.
     
    1 in 8 students are chronically absent-missing 15+ days (includes suspensions, unexcused and excused) 
      
    Poor children are 4x more likely to be chronically absent in K than their highest income peers.

    Children in poverty are more likely to lack basic supports that help them get to school. They often face: 
    **Unstable Housing
    **Limited Access to Health Care
    **Lack of Safe Paths to School
    **Inadequate Food and Clothing
    **Chaotic Schools with Poor Quality Programs, etc.
    **Unreliable Transportation
      
    Long Term Consequences of Chronic Absenteeism:
    A student only has a 56.3% chance of graduating if they've missed more than 20%
    A student only has a 41.6% chance of graduating if they've been chronically absent
      
    Student Success Plans
     
      
    Resources for Parents:
     
    Resources for Teachers/Administration: