Chronic Absence
Resources
This 2024 report and messaging toolkit from the Ad Council aim to help schools understand messaging to communicate effectively with parents about why consistent school attendance is critical to a child’s development and how to encourage their children to attend.
Download the executive summary
Download the full report
Download the messaging toolkit
Download the additional chronic absence data tables
This 2022 report from the National Center for Homeless Education examines chronic absenteeism among students experiencing homelessness using data from school years 2016-17 through 2018-19.
National Center for Homeless Education: Chronic Absence webpage
This National Center for Homeless Education webpage provides informational and practical resources on addressing chronic absence among and supporting regular school attendance for students experiencing homelessness.
This webpage, a partnership between SchoolHouse Connection and Attendance Works, shares best practices from school districts nationwide that have improved attendance for students experiencing homelessness and an action plan template for improving school attendance.
SchoolHouse Connection: Supporting the Attendance of Students Experiencing Homelessness webpage
This SchoolHouse Connection webpage recommends strategies and tools for addressing chronic absence among and supporting regular school attendance for students experiencing homelessness.
Sample Materials
University of South Florida: Reasons for Chronic Absenteeism Student Survey
In order to match interventions efficiently and effectively to student needs, there is a need for reliable and valid data that provide sufficient information to understand the various challenges students experience related to school attendance and absenteeism. The University of South Florida's Reasons for Chronic Absenteeism (RCA) Survey was developed and underwent extensive validation processes including an expert panel review, student reviewers, and a national validation study to ensure the technical adequacy of the items and instrument.
Download the Reasons for Chronic Absenteeism - Blended or Virtual (RCA-BV) survey instrument
Download Reasons for Chronic Absenteeism Among Secondary Students Survey Summary Report