To support district and school leaders in addressing the urgent challenge of chronic absenteeism, this landscape scan synthesizes critical research to guide the development of equitable and proactive attendance strategies. The analysis explores an ecosystem approach to attendance, categorizing root causes of absenteeism into four distinct areas:
- Barriers to access
- Misconceptions regarding expectations
- Aversion arising from school climate
- Academic or social disengagement
Fostering environments where students consistently attend and thrive in school requires moving beyond isolated interventions to implement targeted strategies that address these specific drivers. This resource offers district and school leaders field-tested practices and policies to promote attendance within their unique local contexts. This work serves as a foundational tool for transforming fragmented data into coherent, high-impact solutions for all students.
