School Attendance: Every Day Matters!

Over the last decade, there has been an immense amount of research compiled on the negative effects on learning and long-term success due to chronic absenteeism (missing more than 10% of school).  We wanted to share a small bit of what we have learned with you, so you too understand the essential role that regular attendance plays in learning and long-term success.

• Attendance matters as much in kindergarten as later years. Studies show many children who miss too many days in kindergarten and first grade can struggle academically in later years. They often have trouble mastering reading by the end of third grade.
• By middle and high school, chronic absence is a strong warning sign that without support, a student is at risk of dropping out.
• Too many absent students can affect the whole classroom, slowing down instruction.
• Children can suffer academically if they miss 10% of the school year. (That is 14 days for districts on a four-day schedule and 18 days for districts on a five-day schedule.) That can happen before you know it—even by missing just one day every two weeks.
• It does not matter if these absences are excused or unexcused. They all represent lost time in the classroom and a lost opportunity to learn.

Tips to improve your child’s attendance:

• Avoid extended vacations that require your children to miss school. Try to vacation during school breaks only.
• Try to schedule preventative health care appointments for days off of school, or afternoons.
• For younger children, set a regular bedtime and morning routine. They need 9 to 11 hours of sleep.
• It helps to lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• For older children, help set homework and bedtime routines that allow for 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep. Make sure that when the lights go out, so do the cell phones, video games and computers. Consider keeping technology in another room at night.
• You can turn to the school for help. Schools can connect you with community resources and help you troubleshoot.
• Visit 211info.org to discover community resources.

Thank you so much for being a part of our community!  We appreciate you!