Solving Chronic Absence:

Information and resources for educators and community coalitions

The Basics About Chronic Absence

Chronic Absence Basics

Chronic absence merits careful attention and action since our ability to identify and support chronically absent students and their families has the potential to reduce the achievement gap, turn around under performing schools, and increase students’ readiness for college and careers. Chronic absence is one of the earliest indications we have that students are not on course.

This section presents an overview of chronic absence. It helps school leadership and community members share a common understanding of what chronic absence is and how it differs from other attendance concepts and measures.