Districts Addressing Chronic Absence

In the 2020-2021 school year—the most recent year for which federal data is available—14.7 million students nationwide were chronically absent, nearly doubling pre-pandemic rates. Studies have shown that students who are chronically absent—missing more than fifteen days of school a year—face serious risk of falling farther behind. Encouragingly, we know that taking a data-driven, comprehensive approach that engages students and their families can help solve this problem.

The National Partnership for Student Success Support Hub at the Johns Hopkins Everyone Graduates Center is highlighting promising strategies that are parts of the comprehensive approaches used by school districts around the country to address chronic absence.

District Spotlights:

Partnering with Success Mentors in Greater Johnstown Public Schools

To address chronic absence, GJSD created a holistic, multi-year strategy including family engagement plans, staff training, and development of attendance teams.

Adopting a Community Schools Model in Albuquerque Public Schools

Albuquerque Public Schools has developed a robust strategy to combat chronic absenteeism since the inception of the 2019 New Mexico Attendance for Success Act.

Integrating a Focus on Attendance into Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports in Columbus City Schools

Part of Columbus City Schools’ holistic approach to addressing chronic absenteeism included establishing a culture of shared accountability and integration with other student support systems.

Partnering with AmeriCorps Promise Fellows at Minneapolis Public Schools

To combat absenteeism, Minneapolis Public Schools leveraged a longstanding partnership with Minnesota Promise Fellows to implement and expand a Check & Connect program.

Focusing on Family Engagement in Richmond Public Schools

One of Richmond Public Schools’ primary strategies in tackling chronic absenteeism is the development of school-level engagement plans tailored to families’ needs.

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