For Families: How can I help my student with regular attendance?
You and Your Child Matter
When to keep your child home from school or child care (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Helping with anxiety (Attendance Works)
For Educators: How can I help promote attendance in my school and district?
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) provides a variety of supports to schools and districts to identify students who may become chronically absent. Communicating with stakeholders is one of the first important steps in ensuring a strong attendance culture. Customizable resources that districts and school leaders can personalize with local content and branding for communication with stakeholders are available in the Chronic Absenteeism Toolkit.
Chronic Absenteeism Toolkit
What is Chronic Absenteeism and How Does It Impact Students and Schools?
Kentucky defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10 percent or more of the enrolled academic year for any reason (excused and unexcused). That means a student missing 2 days per month of school over the course of a school year results in being chronically absent. This differs from truancy which counts only unexcused absences and tardies. When students miss school, they miss out on learning, friendships, and so many other opportunities.
Informational Handouts
Chronic Absenteeism at a Glance
One-Page Overview of Strategies for Educators (adapted from Attendance Works)
For Community Leaders: How can we help promote school attendance in our community?
For Business Leaders (Attendance Works)
For Mayors and City Leaders (Attendance Works)
10 Steps Communities Can Take to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism (Attendance Works)
Kentucky Data Tools and Resources
Chronic Absenteeism Frequently Asked Questions
Attendance data for monitoring and intervention can be found on the
Persistence to Graduation and Early Warning Tools page.
Infinite Campus Chronic Absenteeism Report Quick Reference Card
Overview Video of Early Warning and Insights for Chronic Absenteeism: EdTech Webcast
Infinite Campus Transient Student Population Report Quick Reference Card
KDE Pupil Attendance Program Documents
Health and Attendance Downloadable Resources
Am I too Sick for School or Work?, Kentucky Public Health
Attendance Works - Health Guidance for Going to School - English Version
Attendance Works - Health Guidance for Going to School - Spanish Version
Attendance Works Health Handouts for Families
Attendance Works - When is Sick too Sick for School?
School Attendance, American Academy of Pediatrics
School Health Toolkit Disease Defender Kit, Kentucky Public Health
When to Keep Your Child Home Sick from School, healthychildren.org
When Students or Staff are Sick, Children and Preparedness
Webinars
The webinars below were developed pre-pandemic in 2019 to help educators with strategies related to chronic absenteeism and sense of belonging. The data on chronic absenteeism has changed post-pandemic, but the strategies in these resources continue to be relevant.
Ending Chronic Absenteeism in Kentucky - Part 1 Webinar and Ending Chronic Absenteeism in Kentucky - Part 1 Transcript
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Kentucky - Part 2 Webinar and Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Kentucky - Part 2 Transcript
Improving a Sense of Belonging - Part 3 Webinar and Improving a Sense of Belonging - Part 3 Transcript
Contacts for Assistance
For training on school-wide interventions and data tools, please contact Judi Vanderhaar.
For assistance with a specific student’s attendance situation, please first contact your district. For further support, please contact Ronda Divine.
Reference contact email address and phone number at the bottom of this page.