How to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Texas Schools

TL;DR

Chronic absenteeism in Texas schools remains a big issue, with some districts reporting rates as high as 36%. This post shares key takeaways from a recent webinar featuring Dr. Tameka Lewis from Grand Prairie ISD, which outlined five strategies to tackle absenteeism, including using attendance data, promoting positive communication, and engaging families.

Why Attendance Still Matters in 2025

The numbers tell a stark story: chronic absenteeism jumped to 26% during the 2020-2021 school year, with districts like El Paso and Houston seeing even higher rates, particularly among Black students. While we’ve made progress since schools fully reopened, many districts are still battling absence rates well above pre-pandemic levels.

This isn’t just a temporary blip we can wait out. Students who miss 18 or more days per school year, the definition of chronic absenteeism, fall behind academically, struggle with social connections, and are more likely to drop out. The ripple effects last for years.

Why Chronic Absenteeism Is Still Rising in Texas

The pandemic fundamentally changed how families think about school. Remote learning normalized staying home when life got complicated, and for many families dealing with ongoing challenges like unstable housing, job insecurity, or health concerns, “complicated” became the new normal.

Meanwhile, many schools are still relying on the same attendance strategies they used five years ago. Punitive policies that worked (or seemed to work) when absenteeism was lower are proving inadequate for today’s challenges. Sending punitive letters after students have already missed weeks of school won’t break chronic absenteeism patterns.

The Impact of Positive Communication

Switching to a positive approach in communication is one of the most effective strategies for altering attendance patterns. Instead of sending families punitive letters after many absences have already occurred, districts like Grand Prairie ISD are investing in positive, ongoing outreach.

They focus on clear, accessible messages that celebrate student success, offer encouragement, and provide updates in a family’s preferred language and channel. These approaches lead to stronger engagement with families.

Dr. Tameka Lewis, Grand Prairie ISD’s District Student Attendance & Dropout Prevention Coordinator, noted, “We saw the power of positive communication firsthand when we rolled out proactive attendance notifications through SchoolStatus.”

Using Data Wisely

Good intentions without good data lead nowhere. The districts seeing real improvement are doing more than collecting attendance information. They’re using real-time dashboards and early alert systems to spot problems before they become crises.

This approach means moving beyond basic SIS reports to data systems that reveal patterns and trends. When you see that attendance dips on specific days or that certain students consistently struggle after long weekends, you can design targeted interventions instead of generic solutions.

Dr. Lewis explains, “SchoolStatus Attend provided that powerful data visibility for our district. One insight that immediately jumped out was an attendance dip on Mondays and Fridays compared to other days.”

Recognizing these patterns allowed the district to implement targeted engagement strategies and see measurable improvement.

Shifting Away from Punitive Measures

Grand Prairie ISD demonstrates this principle by replacing their old truancy enforcement approach with comprehensive support systems.

They’ve hired student attendance advisors, provided transportation assistance, and addressed basic needs like food security. But they’ve gone deeper too, recognizing that attendance problems often reflect bigger challenges.

Dr. Lewis shared, “We prioritize mental health by advocating for a Social Worker in addition to counselors on every secondary campus. The adult’s well-being impacts the student’s environment.” This comprehensive, wraparound approach creates a climate where all students can succeed and families feel supported.

She added, “Many of our students faced socioeconomic barriers like lack of transportation, job obligations, unstable housing, etc. We took steps like launching a ‘Walking Bus’ program with volunteers.”

How Grand Prairie ISD Reframed Attendance

The most successful districts treat attendance as a whole-family challenge. It truly goes beyond a student behavior issue. Grand Prairie ISD holds monthly family engagement sessions, asking: Who is being affected? What barriers exist? How can families be part of the solution?

This comprehensive approach has created a culture where school attendance feels achievable rather than punitive, and where families see the school as a partner in their child’s success rather than an adversary tracking their failures.

Steps for School Leaders

Districts serious about addressing chronic absenteeism should start with an honest audit of their data systems. Is your attendance information accessible to the people who need it? Is it easy to understand and act upon? If you’re relying on weekly reports and manual tracking, you may be missing critical insights and patterns.

Next, examine your communication strategy. Are you reaching families before problems develop, or only after absences pile up? Are your messages supportive and solutions-oriented, or do they lead with consequences?

Finally, coordinate your efforts across departments. Too often, attendance initiatives exist in silos, with counselors, administrators, and teachers working from different playbooks. Families deserve consistent, coherent support.

Tools like SchoolStatus Attend and SchoolStatus Connect can automate much of this coordination, handling routine communications and data analysis so your staff can focus on the human connections that make the real difference.

Watch the Webinar

For deeper insights, including case studies and Q&A from Texas leaders, watch the full webinar on demand: 

Strategies for Overcoming Chronic Absenteeism in Texas Schools