Product Overview

Consistent school attendance is crucial for student success and development. Both academic and social-emotional growth depend on regular attendance and involvement in school activities. Chronic absenteeism affects all student populations, especially students of color, those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and those who frequently move. To effectively address chronic absenteeism and reduce excessive absences, the entire school community, along with students, their families, and community partners, must work together as a problem-solving body to implement actionable strategies and practical solutions that address barriers to attendance.

This guide provides educators with the tools and guidance they need to develop student-focused attendance improvement plans that consider the unique circumstances and needs of individual students and provide personalized support and interventions that address the underlying causes of their chronic absenteeism. It includes:

The six Cs of attendance planning
Empathetic conversation script
Root cause restorative questions
Tips on designing engaging lessons and activities
Tardy tips
Sample attendance improvement plans for students dealing with homelessness, bullying/harassment, transportation issues, student employment, chronic illness, and caregiving