Attendance

• Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. 
• Absenteeism and its ill effects start early. One in 10 kindergarten and first grade students are chronically absent. Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence (missing 10% of school) becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
• Research shows that missing 10% of the school, or about 18 days, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month.
• The academic impact of missing school is the same whether the absences are excused or unexcused. 
• Low-income students are four times more likely to be chronically absent than others often for reasons beyond their control, such as unstable housing, unreliable transportation and a lack of access to health care. Read more.
• When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating. 
• An estimated 5 million to 7.5 million U.S. students miss nearly a month of school each year. 
• Students can fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% of the school year—about 18 days a year or just two days every month. Chronic absenteeism in kindergarten can predict lower test scores, poor attendance and retention in later grades, especially if the problem persists for more than a year. 

Did you know?

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.

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 missed 10% of school (about one day every two weeks) in kindergarten and 1st grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of 3rd grade.

What you can do

• Make good attendance the expectation. Talk about the importance of showing up to school everyday.
• Maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
• Avoid medical/dental appointments and extended trips when school is in session. 
• Monitor your child's attendance through our PowerSchool system. Talk with your child about what you see.  
• Monitor your child's academic progress and seek help from teachers or support staff if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you. 
• Encourage participation in meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs.
• Communicate with and seek support from the school regarding your child's needs.

Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision to make. Our Health Services department has guidelines on when to keep your student home from school because of sickness. 

A conference will be scheduled with the student/family for the purpose of identifying barriers to attendance and supports/resources available to assist the student and family. Interventions will be put in place to support student needs and may include school counseling, community agency, or other school support. 

A conference will be scheduled with the student/family for the purpose of identifying barriers to attendance and supports/resources available to assist the student and family. Interventions will be put in place to support student needs and may include school counseling, community agency, or other school support. 

The school will refer the family and student to a community engagement board. 

Pasco School District will file a truancy petition with the Franklin county truancy court. 

The Community Engagement Board (CEB) is a team that partners with students and families to identify barriers, develop an action plan, and connect to resources that will improve school engagement, attendance and reduce the number of cases being referred to Franklin County Juvenile/Truancy Court.