The Importance of Regular School Attendance

Overview

Did you know that two to four missed days in the first month of school increases the likelihood of chronic absence throughout the year?

Regular school attendance plays a vital role in your child's academic and personal growth. Being consistently present at school facilitates a steady progress in their learning journey, ensuring that no crucial piece of knowledge or skill is missed.

Facts About the Impact of Poor 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.
• Chronic absence appears to have doubled by the end of the 2021-22 school year. We estimate that it now affects nearly one out of three students (or 16 million vs. 8 million students in the 2018-19 school year).
• Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
  Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.

Why is Attending School Important?

School is not just a space for academic learning, it is where children cultivate social skills, form meaningful friendships, and develop a sense of responsibility and belonging that will serve them well throughout their lives. As we progress through the school year, we urge you to prioritize regular attendance to ensure that your child can reap the full benefits of the comprehensive educational experience that our school strives to offer.

Tips and Practices for Helping Support Your Child’s Consistent School Attendance

• Avoid scheduling vacations when school is in session. 
• Build regular routines for bedtimes and the mornings.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school.
• Don’t permit missing school unless your child is sick.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or your school principal for advice on how to help your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• Avoid medical appointments when school is in session.
• Develop back up plans for getting your child to school if something comes up. Ask a family member, neighbor or another family for help.

Resources

PSD Student Attendance Policies