Attendance

School attendance is an integral part of students’ school success from preschool through grade 12. It has been used in research and practice as one indicator of school engagement. Several academic interventions have been used to increase student engagement and, in turn, promote school attendance. When students are actively engaged in the learning process, they are motivated to attend school regularly. Some educators acknowledge challenges to student attendance and may want to only teach students who have consistent and excellent attendance. This response, however, is oversimplified and consequential—students cannot afford to forsake themselves and educators cannot afford to let them. Policies and laws governing student attendance exist at the state and district level with varying kinds of penalties to students and parents or family members entrusted with students’ education and care. In extreme cases, students, parents, and/or family members may be found to be in violation of truancy...