WHY ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Why Attendance Matters Over 2/3 of the U.S. fourth grade students are NOT reading at grade level.

Why Attendance Matters Many children miss 10% of a school year and That is almost a month per school year!

Why attendance matters One in 10 kindergarten and 1st grade students nationally are chronically absent. Even if the absences are excused – it still adds up to lost classroom time.

Why Attendance Matters Only 17% of students considered chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade were reading proficiently in the 3rd grade. Compared to 64% of those students with good attendance.

Why Attendance Matters Children also miss out on developing the habit of good attendance.

Why Attendance Matters By 6th grade chronic absenteeism is a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

Why Attendance Matters The good news is – that students can reverse their academic performance if they improve their attendance

Why Attendance Matters Many parents are not aware of how quickly absences add up to academic trouble. Chronic Absence 18 or more days Warning Signs 10 – 17 days Satisfactory 9 or fewer absences

Why Attendance Matters Parents can… Set a regular bed time and morning routine. Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before. Avoid scheduling medical appointments and trips when school is in session. A child should stay home when they are truly sick – sometimes a headache or stomachache is a sign of anxiety – and not a reason to stay home.

Why Attendance Matters Develop a BACK UP PLAN before you need one! Is there a family member, a neighbor, or another person in the house who can help get your child to school on time?