Chronic early absence

Abstract

When troubling attendance data in New Britain, Conn., caught district leaders by surprise, they reconsidered their focus on truancy in the older grades and turned their attention on their elementary schools. With support from local philanthropy and assistance from Attendance Works, the district significantly reduced the incidence of chronic absence — especially for younger learners. With the advent of the Every Student Succeeds Act and its requirement to report on chronic absence, states can play an important role in supporting this work. States are well-positioned to reduce chronic absence by building awareness of the issue, using data to promote action, cultivating champions to build a state-level infrastructure, building capacity, identifying and leveraging bright spots, and fostering accountability.