5 Ways to Get Attendance Back on Track

TL;DR

Chronic absenteeism has surged, with one in three students missing significant class time. Attendance is the strongest predictor of student success, yet many schools struggle to address it. Districts can make progress by:

• Recognizing presence as the foundation for learning
• Using consistent attendance data as an early health check
• Communicating with families clearly and positively
• Building connectedness between students and staff
• Keeping attendance a year-round focus

For a deeper look at these strategies, watch the on-demand webinar: 5 Proven Strategies to Boost Student Attendance.

The Attendance Challenge Schools Are Facing

When students miss school, they lose chances to connect with peers, build confidence, and get support from the adults who care about them. When absences pile up, the impact is bigger than most realize.

A recent federal report revealed that one in three students now misses at least 10% of their school days each year. The result: declining test scores, disrupted classrooms, and students falling behind in ways that are hard to recover from. In fact, researchers link attendance to 67% of course failures—a reminder that showing up is the strongest predictor of success.

So what can schools and districts do to turn the tide?

That’s the focus of our on-demand webinar, 5 Proven Strategies to Boost Student Attendance. Dr. Kara Stern walks through practical steps any district can start using today. Here are some of the highlights.

Watch the full webinar here.

1. Start With Presence

Every strong outcome begins with presence. A student in class is the baseline for learning, growth, safety, and connection.

Presence goes beyond taking attendance toward understanding the barriers that make it hard for some students to get to school. Families may struggle with transportation, health needs, or work schedules. Others may not realize how much each missed day matters. Schools that take the time to engage with families, explain the stakes, and celebrate improvements see stronger results.

2. Use Data as a Health Check

Too often, attendance data lives in silos. Different schools in the district might track in different ways, and staff only see numbers after patterns are already set. Kara’s advice: treat attendance data like a district’s health check.

Consistent reporting across schools makes it easier to spot trends early. Reviewing data weekly, or even daily, lets staff act before minor problems become chronic. With the right systems, districts can spend less time crunching numbers and more time helping students.

3. Rethink Communication

Many families want to support attendance but don’t get the information they need in time to act. In a SchoolStatus survey, 86% of families said attendance is important to their child’s success, but only 54% felt their district communicated that message effectively.

The difference comes down to clarity and timing. Mass emails might work for reminders, but students at risk of chronic absence need personal outreach. A quick phone call, a translated text message, or even a note celebrating improved attendance can build trust and change behavior.

As Kara puts it: “Are you communicating value, or are you communicating penalty? Honey catches more flies every single time.”

4. Focus on Connectedness

Students are more likely to show up when they feel someone cares whether they’re there. This idea, often referred to as “school connectedness,” is supported by research and reflected in numerous classrooms.

Schools can build connectedness by celebrating good attendance, offering peer-to-peer encouragement, and making sure every student has at least one trusted adult at school. Even small gestures, like a teacher checking in after a student’s absence, signal that presence matters.

5. Make It a Year-Round Effort

Attendance campaigns often start strong in September but fade after the first few weeks. Kara’s message is simple: attendance requires attention all year long. Families need reminders at key points—before holidays, during testing, and as summer approaches.

Short, positive, repeated messages work best. One district in California saw measurable gains by sending universal attendance letters in families’ home languages throughout the year.

Why This Matters Now

Absenteeism affects more than individual students. It ripples through classrooms, districts, and communities. Students who fall behind face greater academic struggles. Teachers deal with more disruption. Districts lose funding tied to attendance. Over time, communities see lower graduation rates and fewer opportunities for young people.

The flip side is just as powerful. When schools act early, use data well, and engage families with empathy, attendance improves. And when kids are in class, everything else, from learning to growth to future opportunities, becomes possible.

Learn More

For a deeper dive into these strategies, watch the full webinar:

5 Proven Strategies to Boost Student Attendance

You’ll hear more examples from districts tackling chronic absenteeism, practical tips you can implement right away, and ways to engage families without adding more to staff workloads.

Because every success story starts with a student in class and someone ready to meet them there.