Woman reviewing graphs of attendance data and chronic absenteeism status by grade.

Jun 18, 2025

Your Attendance Data Is Trying to Tell You Something

By SchoolStatus • 4 min

Absenteeism,Attendance,Data,District Success,Technology

From crisis to clarity: How Riverside USD built an attendance system that works—and what your district can learn from it

Chronic absenteeism is on the rise in districts across the country, but your attendance data already holds the key to reversing this trend. By analyzing patterns early and using those insights to drive meaningful, personalized outreach, districts can dramatically improve attendance and engagement.

TL;DR

Chronic absenteeism is still rising—but your attendance data can show you where and how to act.
Riverside USD used a tiered, equity-focused strategy to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase student engagement.
Their approach centered on connection, not compliance—replacing punitive letters with positive, personalized outreach.
With real-time data and automated tools, they tracked what worked and made quick adjustments.
The result? More students attending, more families engaged, and a sustainable system that supports student success.

Why Attendance Data Is About More Than Just Numbers

Your attendance data is a signal. Not a judgment.
Dr. Kara Stern, Director, Education and Engagement, SchoolStatus

When we talk about chronic absenteeism—now affecting nearly 1 in 3 students nationally—we’re not just talking about missed school. We’re talking about missed connection. Missed opportunity. Missed potential.

As SchoolStatus’s Director of Education, Dr. Kara Stern, shared at the top of the session: “Your attendance data is a signal. Not a judgment.”

It tells you where students are disengaging. Where families may be struggling. Where systems need to adjust—not just students. The good news? That signal can guide the way forward.

How Riverside USD Used Attendance Data to Cut Chronic Absenteeism

The classroom has to be the magnet. If students don’t feel seen or supported, they won’t keep showing up..
Raul Ayala, Director of Pupil Services, Riverside USD

When Raul Ayala stepped into his role as Director of Pupil Services at Riverside USD, chronic absenteeism was rising, and there was no districtwide attendance plan in place. The data painted a stark picture:

Over 9% of students chronically absent
Disproportionate impact on students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and students of color
8 of 13 student groups performing in the Orange band on the CA Dashboard

But Raul didn’t start with blame. He started with alignment.

➤ Anchoring Attendance in Belonging

Riverside recognized that attendance is relational. Their team aligned their strategy to the district’s instructional framework, which emphasizes academic and relational engagement.

“The classroom has to be the magnet,” Raul explained. “If students don’t feel seen or supported, they won’t keep showing up.”

➤ Building a Tiered System That Meets Students Where They Are

Using their data, Riverside implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) tailored for attendance:

Tier 1: Consistent messaging about the importance of attendance from day one
Tier 2: Targeted outreach to students with emerging patterns of absenteeism
Tier 3: Intensive, personalized supports involving counselors, social workers, and family liaisons

➤ Partnering with Families, Not Penalizing Them

One of Riverside’s biggest shifts? Replacing punitive letters with positive, personalized communication. With support from SchoolStatus Attend, they were able to automate mailers, track interventions, and build in “warm touchpoints” like attendance certificates and “thank you” calls.

➤ Track What Matters—and Adjust in Real Time

Riverside didn’t just act, they adapted. Real-time data guided every move. They tracked which strategies actually led to improved attendance. Using real-time data, they could see which student groups were improving, which messages prompted responses, and where additional support was needed.

“We were able to tie our interventions directly to student outcomes,” Raul noted. “Not just who got the message—but who actually came back to school.”

Attendance Intervention Lessons from Riverside USD

1. Don’t wait for the data to be perfect—start with what you have.
Riverside began with existing patterns and used those to build urgency and alignment.

2. Attendance belongs in your MTSS framework.
Tiered systems aren’t just for academics. Attendance deserves the same strategic, student-centered approach.

For a deeper dive into the link between MTSS and Attendance, check out our recent eBook

3. Make positivity the default.
Recognition goes further than reminders. Riverside’s shift to positive outreach led to stronger family engagement and more consistent student return rates.

4. Track what works—and keep adjusting.
Real-time visibility into actions and outcomes makes the difference between guessing and growing.

Want to build your own success story like Riverside?

Learn how SchoolStatus Attend can help your district take action on your attendance data—schedule a demo today.

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FAQs

What’s the most important attendance window?

The first 30 days of school are critical. Research shows that attendance patterns established in the first month strongly predict a student’s engagement for the rest of the year. That’s why many districts now frontload their outreach efforts in August and September—sending welcome messages, recognizing good attendance early, and tracking trends daily. This short window is a powerful opportunity to build habits, set expectations, and intervene before absences become chronic.

What does a successful attendance letter look like?

The most effective attendance letters are warm, clear, and student-centered. Riverside USD’s approach offers a model: instead of using intimidating language or legal jargon, they send plain-language notes that emphasize partnership. A typical message might say, “We noticed your child was absent. We’re here to help.” This kind of communication builds trust with families and opens the door to support, not shame. Bonus: When paired with translated versions and positive outreach, such as “thank you” calls, response rates increase significantly.

Can attendance data really impact student achievement?

Absolutely. Attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. Studies show that absences account for 67% of course failures—far more than factors like test scores or demographics. When educators have access to real-time attendance data, they can identify at-risk students earlier, personalize interventions, and adjust strategies based on what’s working. The result? More students are attending, learning, and ultimately graduating.

How can MTSS be used to improve attendance?

MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) isn’t just for academics. It provides a tiered framework to identify attendance risks early and respond with the right interventions—universal messaging for all students, targeted outreach for those with emerging patterns, and personalized support for chronic absentees. When integrated with real-time attendance data, MTSS enables schools to act more quickly and equitably.

What is the best way to communicate with families about attendance?

The most effective attendance communication is proactive, positive, and personalized. Rather than relying on punitive letters, districts like Riverside USD are seeing success by replacing them with warm, plain-language messages that focus on support and partnership. Recognition—like thank-you calls or attendance certificates—often goes further than reminders.

Why does attendance data matter so much in K-12 education?

Because attendance is the strongest predictor of student success. Research shows that absences account for 67% of course failures, far exceeding the impact of demographics or test scores. When educators use real-time data to understand trends and take action, they can re-engage students before patterns become problems.

SchoolStatus

SchoolStatus is transforming K-12 education with an integrated suite of solutions that provide educators and administrators with real-time student insights and district attendance trends, enabling complete visibility across all levels of the education ecosystem. Through data-driven, multi-channel communications including calling, texting, video, and print materials, SchoolStatus empowers educators to implement proactive interventions that enhance student outcomes and family engagement. With millions of successful school-home interactions, SchoolStatus leads the way in bridging the gap between schools and families across the U.S. SchoolStatus partners with thousands of districts and serves over 22 million students across all 50 states.