Attendance Matters: Creating Good Attendance Habits Helps Students Succeed at School

Did you know that missing just two days of school per month adds up to missing a total of 10 percent of the school year? Students with high attendance rates score higher on tests and are more likely to graduate than their peers who miss two or more days per month. Being present in class is a huge predictor of student success.

10 important facts about attendance and absenteeism:

• Half of students who miss two to four days of school in September will go on to miss nearly a month of school.
• Poor attendance can have an impact on a student’s ability to read proficiently by the third grade. Reading proficiency by the third grade is the most important predictor of high school graduation and career success.
• By sixth grade, chronic absence (two or more days per month) becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
• Attendance reflects a student’s engagement in their learning.
• Creating a habit of good attendance helps students learn the future skills, persistence, and grit needed to show up every day for college and work.
• Students who are chronically absent (10 percent of the school year) show reduced grade point averages and reduced scores in math, language, and science.
• In the United States, approximately five million to seven and a half million children miss more than 18 days each school year.
• A chronically absent student will have missed more than a year of school by high school graduation.
• One in ten kindergarten and first-grade students miss more than 18 days of school a year, nearly an entire month.
• When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.

10 ways you can help your child show up to class:

• Set your alarm each night to allow for plenty of time to get ready. Leave extra time for any unexpected delays.
• Prepare for the morning the night before. Lay out outfits, be sure backpacks are ready to go, and pre-pack lunches.
• Make sure you have a backup plan in place for if your normal transportation plan falls through.
• Establish a bedtime routine that ensures a restful night.
• Check the weather and plan accordingly.
• Help keep your child engaged with their school day by asking them what they did in school, what their favorite part of the day was, or what they learned.
• Let the school administration know if you are having any issues getting your child to school.
• Avoid scheduling appointments for your child during school hours. Check the school calendar when planning family vacations to make sure they align with days off.
• Keep the television turned off on school mornings and avoid other distractions that can take away from your routine.
• Save time in the morning by having your child bathe or shower before bed.

*Facts compiled from attendanceworks.org