Chronic Absenteeism

**This page offers a combination of resources from other NYSED and government offices and research-based organizations on the topic of Chronic Absenteeism and has been curated to support school improvement plan implementation.**

Chronic absence is defined as missing 10 percent of school days (typically 18) in one school year. Research has shown that students with high rates of absenteeism are at the greatest risk of falling behind and dropping out of school. To support attendance growth for all students, NYSED has updated the way attendance and absenteeism will be tracked. NYSED's Attendance Matters! PowerPoint presentation from January, 2025 provides background information, data review and an overview of NYSED's new Attendance Indicator which will replace the Chronic Absenteeism Indicator.

Below are some helpful resources for addressing chronic absenteeism:

NYS Resources:

• Webcast Recording: Attendance Matters! - Presentation to the Board of Regents by the Audits/Budget and Finance Committee
  • January 13, 2025 PowerPoint Presentation: Attendance Matters! 
• NYSED Student Support Services School Attendance Incentives
• Every Student Present - Reducing Chronic Absence 

For more information and guidance on attendance reporting, regulation, and other related resources, please visit the NYSED Office of Student Support Services webpage: https://www.nysed.gov/student-support-services/attendance 

US Department of Education Resources: 

• USDOE Student Engagement & Attendance Technical Assistance Center (SEAC)
  • SEAC Tools and Resources
  • SEAC Learning Series
  • SEAC Supporting Student Attendance and Engagement

Other Resources:

• Chronic Absence: Busting Myths and Helping Educators Develop More Effective Responses | American Institutes for Research (air.org)
• Attendance Works
• Everyone Graduates Center (John Hopkins University)
• Future Ed and Attendance Works Attendance Playbook