Chronic Absenteeism
About This Pathway
Learn to identify the causes of chronic absenteeism and implement practical, equity-driven strategies to improve student attendance and engagement in K–12 schools in this pathway of courses. Courses are listed below.
Offered in this pathway:
Virtual Community (twice a year, enroll separately, students must complete all courses before enrolling)
Digital Badge
Certificate
Audience:
K–12 teachers, school counselors, social workers, administrators, and other student support staff
Foundations – Why Attendance Matters
This course provides educators with a deep understanding of the complex factors that contribute to chronic absenteeism and equips them with practical strategies to foster consistent student attendance. Participants will explore data-driven approaches, family and community engagement strategies, and schoolwide practices that create supportive, inclusive environments where all students feel motivated to attend and succeed.
30 minutes
Shared Understanding & Legal Foundation
Participants will explore the legal and policy frameworks that govern attendance at the federal and state levels, including compulsory education laws, reporting requirements, and student rights. Emphasis is placed on aligning school and district practices with legal expectations while fostering equitable, student-centered approaches to attendance. Practical examples and real-world scenarios will be included.
35 minutes
Team & Governance Structure
This professional development course focuses on building effective team and governance structures to address chronic absenteeism in K–12 schools. Participants will learn how to establish clear roles, use data to guide decisions, and implement collaborative systems that engage staff, families, and community partners. Emphasis is placed on creating accountable, student-centered processes that support consistent communication and improved attendance outcomes.
45 minutes
Using Data to Diagnose Root Causes
Data-Driven Approaches to Addressing Absenteeism is a practical course designed to equip K–12 educators with the knowledge and skills to use data effectively to understand, monitor, and reduce student absenteeism. Participants will examine attendance data sources, learn how to identify trends and root causes of chronic absenteeism, and apply data-informed decision-making to design targeted interventions. Real-world application in school and district contexts, is stressed.
Strengthening Advanced Tiers
Strengthening Advanced Tiers equips educators and school leaders to enhance Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports within an MTSS framework. The course emphasizes data-driven decision-making, targeted interventions, and collaboration with families and community partners to address root causes of chronic absenteeism and improve student outcomes.
45 minutes
Monitoring Progress & Sustainability
This course covers tools and strategies that help educators track and evaluate attendance interventions, using data to guide continuous improvement. The course focuses on building sustainable practices, aligning resources, and maintaining long-term impact on student attendance and outcomes.
support hours
Monday through Friday
9am – 4:30pm
(Eastern Time)
Address
Rutgers University
pd4Me New Jersey
Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Counseling Professions
675 Hoes Lane West, 8th Floor
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Email and Phone
(908) 221-7735
Funding
This project is funded by the New Jersey Department of Education under grant #xxxxxxxx.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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