What if I told you we could predict a student's attendance patterns by the end of the first month of school? Would you look at the data a little more closely? Would you start intervening with students right away? A Baltimore study released today demonstrates that absences in September can predict chronic absence levels for the whole school year. That underscores the importance of recognizing Attendance Awareness Month in September, with positive messaging and a renewed commitment to data crunching and targeted outreach. 

Schools and communities are already posting their plans on our Attendance Action Map. And we're seeing signs of progress in other ways. New Britain, Conn., is continuing to reduce chronic absence in its elementary schools. And New York City has committed to spending $52 million over the next four years to improve attendance. 

These are just a few of the programs we're hearing about. Let us know what you're doing to reduce chronic absence at info@attendanceworks.org. 

Hedy Chang

• Students who missed fewer than 2 days in September typically had good attendance rates for the entire year.
• Half the students who missed 2-4 days in September went on to miss a month or more of school, which is known as chronic absence.
• Nearly 9 out of 10 students who missed more than 4 days in September were chronically absent that year.

Chicago Schools' Efforts to Keep 9^th Graders "On Track" to Graduation Are Successful

Attendance Awareness Month starts in six weeks, offering an extraordinary opportunity to share the importance of school attendance from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. On our webinar Aug. 6, we'll share new strategies and materials, including a new video for parents of young children and talking points for making the case to stakeholders in your community.  

If you've already made plans for September, post them now on our interactive map. If you're still thinking about it, review the Count Us In! toolkit again and check out these new materials on our website: 

• Black-and-white banners and handouts that students can color in

• Badges and stickers you can use year round proclaiming Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

• A poster to hang in store windows or doctor's offices

New Britain's Focus on Attendance Pays Off

United Way of New York City Receives Large Grant to Fight Chronic Absence

The United Way of New York City received a four-year, $52 million grant from the city Department of Education to fight chronic absence through its Community Schools programs in 40 high-needs schools. The schools offer services such as mental health services, homework help and family counseling that can help improve attendance, as well as improve achievement.

The program will allow United Way to increase resources for community-based partnerships, improving attendance rates and dropout prevention efforts for more than 40,000 New York City students. 

Community Efforts Recognized as Bright Spots

• The Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is working with school districts across the state to reduce chronic absence and develop a model attendance policy.
• Kent County, Michigan uses a community school initiative in high-poverty schools to decrease chronic absenteeism and help students and their families succeed.