Attendance Resources

ATTENDANCE in the early grades

Many of our youngest students miss 10 percent of the school year—about 18 days a year or just two days every month. Chronic absenteeism in kindergarten, and even PreK, can predict lower test scores, poor attendance and retention in later grades, especially if the problem persists for more than a year. Do you know how many young children are chronically absent in your school or community?

Who Is Affected

Kindergarten and 1st grade classes often have absenteeism rates as high as those in high school. Many of these absences are excused, but they still add up to lost time in the classroom.

1 in 10 kids in kindergarten and 1st grade are chronically absent. In some
schools, it’s as high as 1 in 4.¹

2 in 10 low-income kids miss too much school. They’re also more likely to suffer academically.¹

2.5 in 10 homeless kids are chronically absent.²

4 in 10 transient kids miss too much school when families move.²

^{1 Chang, Hedy; Romero, Mariajose, Present, Engaged and Accounted For: The Critical Importance of Addressing Chronic Absence in the Early Grades, National Center for Children in Poverty: NY: NY, September 2008.
2 Chronic Absence in Utah, Utah Education Policy Center at the University of Utah, 2012.}

Why It Matters

If children don’t show up for school regularly, they miss out on fundamental reading and math skills and the chance to build a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers.

Preliminary data from a California study found that children who were chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of 3rd grade.

Who Can Read on Grade Level After 3rd Grade?3
64%	of kids with good attendance in K and 1st (missed 9 or fewer days both years)
43%	of kids with at-risk attendance (missed more than 9 days both years)
41%	of kids chronically absent in K or 1st (missed 18 or more days one year)
17%	of kids chronically absent in K and 1st (missed 18 or more days both years)

^{3 Attendance in Early Elementary Grades: Association with Student Characteristics, School Readiness and Third Grade Outcomes, Applied Survey Research. May 2011.}

What We Can Do

Engage Families

Many parents and students don’t realize how quickly early absences can add up to academic trouble. Community members and teachers can educate families and build a culture of attendance through early outreach, incentives and attention to data.

Fix Transportation

The lack of a reliable car, or simply missing the school bus, can mean some
students don’t make it to class. Schools, transit agencies and community partners can organize car pools, supply bus passes or find other ways to get kids to school.

Address Health Needs

Health concerns, particularly asthma and dental problems, are among the leading
reasons students miss school in the early grades. Schools and medical professionals can work together to give children and families health care and advice.

Track the Right Data

Schools too often overlook chronic absence because they track average
attendance or unexcused absences, not how many kids miss too many days for
any reason. Attendance Works has free data-tracking tools.

These are a few steps that communities and schools can take. How do you think you can help?

Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early

DID YOU KNOW?

• Starting in preschool and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing 10%, or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year, can make it harder to learn to read.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just one or two days every few weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
• Absences and tardiness can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Keep your child healthy and make sure your child has the required shots.
• Introduce your children to their teachers and classmates before school starts.
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
• Try to schedule non-urgent related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• If you are concerned that your child may have a contagious illness, call your school or health care provider for advice.
• If your child must stay home due to illness, ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home.

When Do Absences Become a Problem?

CHRONIC ABSENCE	18 or more days
WARNING SIGNS	10 to 17 days
SATISFACTORY	9 or fewer absences

Note: These numbers assume a 180-day school year.