Tools to Improve Attendance
Attendance is key to student success. When children miss school, they miss connections, instruction, and momentum. Even a few absences can cause them to fall behind.
This toolkit gives schools, families, healthcare providers, elected officials, and community partners practical tools, effective strategies, and data and policies to improve attendance and help students thrive.
Why We’re Tracking Attendance
Absenteeism impacts academic performance, graduation rates, and long-term opportunities. Georgia’s statewide attendance data reveals why action is urgent:
- In 2024, 63.6% of students missed more than five days of school.
- Attendance challenges spiked during and after the pandemic and remain above pre-2020 levels.
- Disparities persist across grades, schools, and communities.
Tracking attendance helps pinpoint root causes, connect students with resources, and measure progress over time.
Spotlight
Language as a Missing Link
Engagement is the fuel for language development and also positively impacts student attendance.
Attendance Resource Toolkit
Inside the toolkit, you’ll find:
- Effective Practices by Sector — tailored strategies for educators, parents, healthcare providers, elected officials, and community partners.
- Ready-to-Use Resources — outreach templates, communication guides, and evidence-based models.
- Data and Policies — links to data resources and related policies to inform action.
Four Strategies for Improving Attendance
Practical, high-impact moves any district or community can start today.
01
Meaningfully Engage Families
Reach out early and often with clear, caring communication that builds trust and partnership.
02
Create Positive Learning Climates
Foster belonging and connection through engaging instruction and supportive classroom culture.
03
Provide Personalized Support
Pair students with caring adults and responsive services that meet health and learning needs.
04
Remove Barriers
Address transportation, housing, food access, and mental health so students can get to class.
Key Georgia Laws Impacting Attendance
Relevant across schools, families, health partners, and community organizations.
SB123 • 2025
Student Attendance & School Climate
Strengthens Student Attendance & School Climate Committees and promotes engagement-oriented practices over punitive responses.
HB740 • 2018
Limits PK–3rd Grade Suspensions
Reduces exclusionary discipline for young learners and encourages supportive interventions that keep students in school.
Resource Highlights
Attendance Works Toolkits
Campaigns, messaging, data use, and step-by-step guides for schools and partners.
Visit resource
All In for Attendance
A national look at chronic absence with strategies that work across contexts.
Read report
Georgia Attendance Dashboard
Explore trends by district, school year, and student group to target supports.
Open dashboard
Educators & Education Leaders
Help students feel connected and supported
Key Actions:
- Examine attendance data early and often to prevent absenteeism.
- Foster student engagement through developmentally responsive teaching practices.
- Pair students facing attendance challenges with a caring adult.
- Build strong school–family relationships.
- Coordinate personalized outreach (home visits, liaisons, mentor programs).
Featured Tools & Examples
- GaDOE Attendance Dashboard
- LEAP Home Visit Model
- 4 Evidence-Based Attendance Interventions
- Check & Connect mentoring
- Language as a Missing Link
- Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership · Title I Family–School Partnership
- Whole Child Supports (GaDOE)
More examples & ideas
- Attendance campaigns & PSAs
- Safe Routes to School · Ride support partnerships
- School-based health centers · Telehealth in schools: ESE Telehealth, Hazel Heatlh
Parents & Caregivers
Build routines and communicate early
Key Actions:
- Set consistent routines and bedtime schedules.
- Communicate often with teachers.
- Know your school’s attendance policies.
- Ask for help if you’re facing barriers.
- Keep track of days missed and talk with your child about why attendance matters.
Helpful Resources
More ways to support attendance
- Use the school’s family portal or text alerts to track attendance.
- Request a conference to make an attendance plan with the counselor or mentor.
- Ask about tutoring, afterschool, or community programs that keep kids engaged.
Community Partners
Mobilize programs and wraparound supports
Key Actions:
- Offer mentoring and afterschool programs.
- Host health fairs and parent workshops.
- Help families navigate food, housing, and health care resources.
- Promote attendance through local media.
- Build trusted relationships through wraparound staff and mentors.
Community Resources
- Attendance Playbook
- SchoolHouse Connection
- Freedom Schools model · Boys & Girls Clubs
- Communities In Schools
More examples
- Media partnerships (radio/TV/online) for PSAs during key months.
- City/county attendance summits with schools, health systems, and nonprofits.
- Small grants to seed van routes, washer/dryer programs, and mentoring hubs.
Healthcare Providers
Address health barriers to learning
Key Actions:
- Provide early detection and care for vision, hearing, nutrition, and chronic health conditions.
- Coordinate with schools to address health barriers to learning and attendance.
- Educate families on on the link between health and learning.
- Expand access to school-based clinics and telehealth to address health and mental health needs.
Helpful Resources
- CARE Playbook
- School-Based Health Alliance
- ESE Telehealth · Hazel Health
- Hunger Vital Sign screening tool
Implementation tips
- Use MOUs with districts for timely information-sharing (with parental consent).
- Align clinic hours with school day; offer same-day appointments to prevent full-day absences.
- Provide care navigators who can refer to housing, food, and healthcare resources.
Elected Officials
Remove barriers to student attendance
Key Actions:
- Convene Student Attendance & School Climate Committees.
- Champion policies that support student attendance.
- Support funding for wraparound services: housing, transportation, healthcare, mentoring, afterschool.
Policy & Leadership Resources
- National League of Cities: Why Student Engagement & Attendance Matters
- Attendance Works — Policy Recommendations · Attendance Proclamations (2025)
- Student Attendance and School Climate Law · Student Attendance and School Climate Committee Resources
- SB123 (2025) Student Attendance and School Climate · HB740 (2018) Reduces Public Preschool – 3rd Grade Suspensions
More examples
- Media partnerships (radio/TV/online) for PSAs during key months.
- City/county attendance summits with schools, health systems, and nonprofits.
- Small grants to seed van routes, washer/dryer programs, and mentoring hubs.
Let’s Improve Attendance — Together
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, healthcare provider, community leader, or policymaker, you have an opportunity to help ensure every child is in school and engaged in learning. Use this toolkit, connect with partners, and take action today.