Pay Attention to Attendance
Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s social and academic development.
Even as children grow more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school and understand how attendance benefits their health and success in school and beyond.
Did you know?
• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged and on track to graduation.
• Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence (missing 10%, or 2 days each month) is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
What you can do make school attendance a priority
• Talk about the opportunities available when your teen or preteen shows up to school every day.
• Help your middle and high schoolers maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting enough sleep.
• Consider limiting use of devices if they interfere with sleep.
• Try not to schedule non-urgent medical appointments during the school day. • Help your student to stay healthy.
• If your children must stay home because they are sick, make sure they have asked teachers for materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom. Help your student stay engaged
• Monitor your child’s academic progress and seek help from teachers, school counselors or tutors when necessary. Provide teachers with your contact information.
• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
• Encourage your child to join meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs.
• If you notice signs of anxiety, support your middle and high schoolers, and if needed, seek advice from your school or health-care provider.