Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism

Attendance is a priority in Ohio. Attendance studies routinely show the connection between regular attendance and critical school measures such as reading proficiently, performing well academically, and graduating from high school.

Chronic absence is defined in Ohio as a student missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason – excused, medically excused, unexcused and suspensions. Chronic absenteeism is part of Ohio’s report card as part of Ohio’s Every Student Succeeds Act Plan. Ohio, along with 35 other states, uses chronic absenteeism as a measurement of student success under the Gap Closing Component.

There are several initiatives focused on attendance and chronic absenteeism:

Stay in the Game! Network - Stay in the Game! connects districts and education leaders to the resources and tools that can meaningfully improve attendance

Attendance Works - As a non-profit initiative, Attendance Works collaborates with schools, districts, states, communities and organizations to ensure that everyone recognizes that chronic absence is a serious issue that can be addressed using a positive, problem-solving approach grounded in an understanding of educational inequities. 

The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Attendance Works are offer free 90 minute sessions designed for ESCs and SSTs on core attendance strategies and addressing the rising rates of chronic absence. Each session will include 45-minutes with ESCs and SSTs together, breakout sessions tailored for ESC and SST staff, and collective sharing of best practices and learnings. Additional consultation sessions available for participants after each regional training. All ESC and SST staff are welcome including Family and Community Partner liaisons, family engagement staff, attendance support staff, social workers, attendance officers, PBIS- and SEL-focused staff, One Plan staff, leadership consultants and more. [Get more information on sessions, including registration links]

Resources:

• Attendance Support Webpage (Ohio Department of Education & Workforce)
• Ohio Attendance Law FAQ
• Student Recovery Dashboards 
• Ohio School Report Cards
• Ohio's Attendance Guide 
• Stay in the Game! Network
• Attendance Works
• Ohio Supreme Court Toolkit: Developing an Effective School Attendance Program
• Attendance Playbook by FutureEd and Attendance Works
• Questions: Patrick Hickman, Ohio Attendance Advisor