Strategy

Attendance Works

What is it?

Students who are chronically absent are at risk of falling behind academically and dropping out of school. Attendance Works is a nonprofit organization that works with schools, districts, states, and communities to ensure that chronic absence is recognized as a serious issue and addressed with effective approaches. Attendance Works recommends a three-tiered approach. Tier One strategies are prevention-oriented supports such as encouraging better attendance for all students. Tier Two interventions are more personalized and designed to address barriers to attendance. Tier Three approaches provide intensive support such as case management and referrals to health, housing, and social services.

What is the evidence base?

Children who are chronically absent in the early years lack crucial school readiness skills and lag behind their peers in social-emotional development. Chronic absenteeism hinders academic performance, reduces the likelihood of post-secondary enrollment, and may be an early predictor of dropping out of high school.

• The Utah Education Policy Center_2012_Research Brief: Chronic Absenteeism
• Romero and Lee_2007_A National Portrait of Chronic Absenteeism in the Early Grades