Why Attendance Matters

Course Description

This self-paced, on-demand course provides K–12 educators and school staff with a comprehensive understanding of the critical role attendance plays in student success. Participants will explore the foundational concepts of chronic absenteeism, including its impact on academic achievement, engagement, and long-term outcomes. Through a structured progression of modules—ranging from legal frameworks and shared understanding to data analysis, tiered interventions, and building the right team and governance structure—learners will gain practical strategies to build cohesive, schoolwide approaches to improving attendance. Emphasis is placed on collaborative team-based problem-solving, designing and implementing tiered attendance supports, and the use of data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of regular school attendance and its connection to student outcomes, including academic performance and long-term success.
2. Interpret federal, state, and local policies related to attendance, including legal requirements and student rights.
3. Establish effective team structures and governance practices to support coordinated attendance improvement efforts.
4. Analyze attendance data to identify trends, patterns, and root causes of chronic absenteeism.
5. Design and implement tiered interventions, including advanced supports, to address the needs of students with significant attendance challenges.
6. Develop strategies to monitor progress and sustain attendance initiatives through continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement.

Course Modules:

Foundations
Shared Understanding and Legal Foundation
Team and Governance Structure
Using Data to Diagnose Root Causes
Strengthening Advanced Tiers
Monitoring Progress and Sustainability