Attendance Matters

"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 Awareness Campaign 2019

Supts. Memo #246-17 Attendance Awareness Month 

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: