Did you know it is estimated that nearly 5 million of our nation’s 7 million students are considered at risk academically each year due to chronic absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism is missing more than 10% of the school year for any reason, which equates to being absent 18 days or more. Even as early as kindergarten, chronic absenteeism can have adverse consequences for academic achievement. During the 2018-2019 school year 8.7% of Fairview students were considered chronically absent. In addition, nearly 20% of our students missed ten or more days of school this past year.
Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. Every minute, of every day counts, let’s get off to a good start.
Impact of Attendance
Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.
Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade
The academic impact of chronic absenteeism is the same whether the absences are excused or unexcused.
If a student is chronically absent throughout their elementary career, by the time they enter 6th grade they have missed over half a school year.
By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. Students who are chronically absent are 7.4 times more likely to drop out in high school.