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Attendance Awareness Campaign Update
A project led by Attendance Works
May 7, 2026
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Relationships Are Essential
Success in improving attendance and engagement requires a steady focus on relationships and the rebuilding of routines. Districts and schools should make sure families and staff feel safe and supported by listening to their needs and taking a positive, problem-solving approach.
Ensure every student in your school is known by a staff person. Use relationship mapping resources from Harvard to ensure that every student has a meaningful connection to an adult in the school community.
Engaging parents of young children in attendance routines establishes a habit that often lasts throughout a student’s academic experience. We updated our Perfectly Punctual Campaign, a playful, universal strategy for young children and their families that celebrates on-time attendance as a school-wide value. The activities–with downloadable resources–can be done at any time of the school year.
Spring is a good time to share chronic absence and other data with next year's teachers for smooth transitions and troubleshooting. Meet with transition grade (K, 6th, 9th) personnel to conduct a warm hand-off for students who are chronically absent.
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Success story spotlight
Students exposed to any attendance intervention studied in this research were about 9% less likely to be chronically absent compared to those who attended schools that did not have these approaches, according to a new report from the HEDCO Institute for Evidence-Based Educational Practice at the University of Oregon. The report cited five promising practices: curriculum changes, relationship building, family engagement, messaging about attendance and taking a whole-school approach.
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Webinars
The 2026 AAC webinar series features speakers who share actions appropriate for each season of a typical school year to support a year-round attendance plan.
AAC 2026 webinar #2, Engage and Build Bridges in the Summer, is just around the corner. Register for this free event taking place on Wednesday, May 13, at noon PT / 3 p.m. ET. All those who register will receive an email after the event with a link to the webinar recording, presentation slides and resources shared.
Register for the 3 remaining webinars!
Spread the word! Here's a sample social media message:
☀️Student experiences over the summer months can play an important role in helping students feel connected, supported and ready to return to school. Join Attendance Works on May 13 for the AAC webinar, Engage and Build Bridges in the Summer.
🔗 Secure your spot! https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yL4zoPClTLaAlTI8BKx5fQ#/registration
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Attendance resources
If chronic absence affects a large proportion of students, consider deepening relationships through the Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP), a research-based home visiting program that partners with families. Or, look into Parent Teacher Home Visits, a proven approach that can have a schoolwide impact.
If you are working in elementary schools, utilize the Attendance Works Elementary Success Mentor toolkit to equip caring adults who are taking on this responsibility.
For secondary students, the nonprofit MENTOR offers a variety of resources for K-12, including peer mentoring, in which high or middle school youth mentor their younger peers.
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Research spotlight
The nonprofit GENYOUth has released a new report informed by a survey of 1,500+ students ages 13–18. Among the findings: Students who experience a strong culture of wellness in school are three times less likely to be frequently and chronically absent, and two in three students say physical activity motivates them to come to school.
A Deep Exploration of Chronic Absenteeism: Causes, Consequences, and Potential Solutions is based on a survey of adults and teens during the 2024-25 school year. Survey findings suggest that districts need to overhaul their absence capture systems to collect more information about the underlying reasons for absences, which will allow for potentially more effective interventions.
The Parent Institute for Quality Education’s (PIQE) 2026 Winter Family Needs Assessment, based on a survey of 1,129 caregivers across California, found that over 40% of caregivers report work schedules or transportation barriers make it difficult to attend school meetings or events. The report recommends flexible meeting options, including virtual meetings and varied schedules, to help address these challenges.
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Events
We’re presenting at IEL’s annual 2026 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference, May 27-29, 2026! We will be at three events, including the pre-conference event, a three hour deep dive into addressing chronic absence and student health issues. Learn more and register here.
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District PD
Our Professional Leadership Attendance Network supports district leaders responsible for improving attendance systems. PLAN is an approach that helps district leaders move beyond isolated initiatives and lead with strategy. The next cohort begins January 20, 2027. For more information, contact Lorri Hobson (Lorri@attendanceworks.org) and Zach Freeman (Zach@attendanceworks.org).
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Campaign convening partners
See the full list of Attendance Awareness Partners here.
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Campaign sponsors
A special thanks to the corporate sponsors who have already committed to supporting our 2026 Attendance Awareness Campaign. Their investment makes it possible for us to provide you with free strategies and materials.
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Attendance in the news
Districts work to combat chronic absenteeism through initiatives, after-school programs, Spectrum News1, May 3, 2026
Governor Mike DeWine - Launching Statewide Attendance Dashboard, The Ohio Channel, April 15, 2026
Metro Detroit Parents Want More After-School Programs for Their Kids, Chalkbeat, April 13, 2026
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