A recent study shows that students who miss more school than their peers consistently score lower on standardized tests, regardless of their age, demographic group or where they live.
Improving student attendance is an essential, cost-effective but often overlooked strategy for school improvement, closing achievement gaps and ensuring all students are on track to learn and succeed.
September is National Attendance Month, a nationwide event recognizing the connection between school attendance and academic achievement. The goal is to mobilize schools and communities not only to promote the value of good attendance but also to take concrete steps toward reducing chronic absence.
In Kentucky, High Attendance Day is Sept. 18, and the Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel will reward those districts with the highest percentage of students at school that day.
A number of resources are available to support your efforts for National Attendance Awareness Month and Kentucky High Attendance Day. This toolkit will help teachers tackle the issue with students in their classes.
Pledge now to participate in National Attendance Month by raising awareness about the importance of students and teachers being at school every day.