Progress of Education Reform: Chronic Early Absence PDF - This issue of The Progress of Education Reform looks at two recent research studies on the issue of chronic early absence and addresses the following: 1) What are the impacts of chronic early absence? 2) Why has it been overlooked? 3) What contributes to chronic early absence? and 4) What can be done to reduce chronic absence in the early grades? (Mimi Howard, Education Commission of the States, March 2010)...

Staying in School: A Proposal to Raise High School Graduation Rates - This paper presents a plan to increase the high school graduation rate. A key element of the proposal is for all states to increase their minimum school-leaving age to eighteen. The proposal also calls for more resources for enforcement of compulsory-schooling laws. The authors assert that if states invest in effective support programs they can further increase graduation rates and reduce future costs of enforcing compulsory-schooling policies. (Hamilton Project, September 2012)...

Using Attendance Data to Inform Policy and Practice - In this webinar, the speakers showcased how chronic absenteeism data can be used to inform policy and practice and discussed steps policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels can take to support the improved collection and use of this information. The webinar included discussions about chronic absence and why it matters; efforts in Indiana, Oregon, and Oakland, CA, to analyze and use attendance data; and actions local, state, and federal officials can take to support the improved collection and use of this information. (Data Quality Campaign and Attendance Works, June 2012)...

The Importance of Being in School: A Report on Absenteeism in the Nation's Public Schools - This report examines the issue of chronic absenteeism, defined as missing more than 10 percent of a year’s school days. As most states track average daily attendance, the authors contend, the instance of chronic absenteeism is understated. This exploratory study parses attendance data from six states and finds chronic absenteeism averaging 14% of students, which, if the rate holds nationally, equates to about seven million students. The authors urge policymakers considering extended school day and year policies to consider the issue of chronic absenteeism. (Johns Hopkins University Center for Social Organization of Schools, May 2012)...

Attendance in Early Elementary Grades: Associations with Student Characteristics, School Readiness, and Third Grade Outcomes - This report examines a sample of kindergarten students who participated in school readiness assessments in 19 school districts in California. The authors address the following questions: 1. How does attendance in early grades (kindergarten and first grade) relate to third grade performance? 2. Does the association between attendance and later outcomes depend on the readiness skills that students possess when they enter kindergarten? (Applied Survey Research, July 2011)...

Getting Teenagers Back to School: Rethinking New York State's Response to Chronic Absence - This policy brief looks at New York State’s practices responding to chronically absent teenagers, particularly reporting and investigating a teen’s parent or guardian to the child protective system for allegations of educational neglect. Vera proposes that New York rethink this response to teens missing too much school and develop more effective alternatives. (Vera Institute of Justice, October 2010)...

Raise the Age, Lower the Dropout Rate? Considerations for Policymakers - The policy brief focuses on this question: Is there empirical evidence to support raising compulsory school attendance age to 18 as a way of reducing the dropout rate? After reviewing research and analysis of state policies the authors conclude that raising the age alone is not an effective strategy. The authors argue that states should focus energy and resources on developing policies and programs that have shown to be successful and recommend policies to consider. (Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy, April 2009)...

A National Portrait of Chronic Absenteeism in the Early Grades - This brief is the first in a series examining the causes and consequences of chronic absenteeism during the early school years. The authors contend that efforts to improve access to and the quality of early care and learning also need to encompass strategies to ensure that children are actually in settings that can start them on successful early learning trajectories. If children are not in school, the odds that they will succeed are lessened. (National Center for Children in Poverty, October 2007)...

Selected Tables from the: 2003-04 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) PDF - Access SASS table detailing the percentage of schools that had various special requirements for admission other than proof of immunization, age or residence, by school type and selected school characteristics: 2003-04. Full report available here. (Gregory A. Strizek, Jayme L. Pittsonberger, Kate E. Riordan, Deanna M. Lyter, Greg F. Orlofsky and Kerry Gruber, National Center for Education Statistics, March 2006)...

A Best Practices Review of Truancy Reduction Efforts - On average, 15,600 students are truant from Wisconsin public schools on any given day. According to this report, school efforts to address truancy are most effective when they include timely action that links the truancy and a resulting negative consequence, early intervention – so that truancy does not become a habit – and personal contact between parents and school personnel, which enables both to work together on the truancy. (Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau Report, August 2000)...