Parents, your child’s success in school, college, and even at work starts with good attendance.
Missing just 10 percent of school days—about 18 days—can hurt your child’s learning. That’s only one day every two weeks, and it adds up fast.
Excused or unexcused, every absence means lost classroom time and lost opportunities to learn.
Even in kindergarten and first grade, missing too many days can cause struggles later. Kids who miss a lot early often have trouble learning to read by the end of third grade.
Building good habits in preschool makes a big difference, too. Poor attendance early can predict future absenteeism.
By middle and high school, chronic absence is a major warning sign for dropping out.
Too many absences don’t just affect your child—they disrupt the whole classroom.
Here’s how you can help:
Avoid extended vacations during the school year and try to schedule doctor’s appointments outside of school hours.
Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Younger kids need 9–11 hours of sleep; older kids need 8 ½–9 ½. Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Limit distractions—when the lights go out, so should the cell phones, video games, and computers.
Connect with teachers and school staff. For younger kids, introduce them to teachers and stay in touch. For older kids, work with staff to keep track of progress and friendships.
Be the example. Show your child that attendance matters. Don’t allow absences unless your child is truly sick, and don’t rely on older kids for daycare or errands.
Reach out if you need support—schools often have resources to help families.
Ask your principal about chronic absence rates. Even if your child attends regularly, it’s important to know how many students in the school are missing too much time.
Did you know missing just one day every two weeks adds up to nearly a month of lost learning? Want to learn more? Visit: http://www.attendanceworks.org