Across the country, many school systems are grappling with rising levels of chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason. Today, nearly one in three students is chronically absent, almost double the rate before the pandemic. The challenge is particularly acute for marginalized students: systems serving larger proportions of students experiencing poverty and students of color consistently report higher rates of absenteeism.
This toolkit is designed for district and CMO leaders who want to take a systemic approach to improving attendance. It helps leaders look beyond surface-level data to understand chronic absenteeism through the lens of the broader student ecosystem, identify root causes and translate insights into actionable strategies. Superintendents, chief academic officers, chief information officers, curriculum directors and principals will find practical guidance for shaping districtwide efforts.
In this toolkit:
- Frameworks to understand the student ecosystem and root causes of chronic absenteeism
- Practical tools and templates to support with systemic actions
- Models and initiatives that illustrate how districts and partners are approaching attendance at scale
