Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow
Being in school leads to succeeding in school. Missing too many days, whether those absences are excused or unexcused, can cause students to fall behind. This makes it harder for them to reach important school milestones—like reading by third grade, to succeeding in middle school, and even graduating from high school.
Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% of the school year, or about 18 days. The evidence is clear that such absences severely impact academic achievement at all grade levels. Missing just two days of school per month can throw students off track to educational success.
We recognize that students miss school for a variety of reasons. But when absences add up, they can have a big impact on learning. Whether it’s illness, appointments, or other challenges, please work with your child’s school to limit missed days. By staying on track with attendance, we can help ensure that every student has the best chance to succeed in school and in life!
What You Can Do
- Set a regular bedtime and routines for your child.
- Schedule regular medical and dental appointments before or after school or on non-school days.
- Avoid planning family vacations during school.
- Send your child to school every day unless they are truly sick. Health Guidance for Going to School
- Have a backup plan for getting your child to school if something comes up. Consider calling on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
Watch now: Bringing Attendance Home