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Dear Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, Attendance Personnel, School Counselors, and District Leaders,
Thank you to those who attended the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Summer Conference. During our attendance session, we shared several important updates regarding the implementation of Mississippi's revised attendance law and new resources available to support districts during the 2026-2027 school year.
As we prepare for the opening of school, we encourage each district to review the materials linked below and ensure that all administrators, attendance clerks, counselors, and other personnel responsible for attendance are familiar with these new requirements.
Attendance Summer Presentation
SAO Portal Guest User Access Guide
School Attendance Officer Procedures
School Flow Chart
Student Referral Flow Chart
MDE Attendance Playbook
Key Updates
Implementation of Senate Bill 2103
Effective July 1, 2026, revisions to Mississippi's compulsory school attendance law include several significant changes, including:
- Active monitoring of chronic absenteeism (10% or more of enrolled school days)
- Required parent notification beginning at three (3) absences
- Required tiered intervention strategies for students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
- New attendance reporting expectations
- Referrals to School Attendance Officers (SAOs) at required unlawful absence thresholds
- Requirement that unlawful absences be reported to the SAO by the end of the next business day after they become unlawful, in accordance with district policy
New SAO Portal
Beginning this school year, all districts will utilize the new SAO Portal for attendance referrals and reporting. The portal replaces previous methods of submitting referrals and provides a secure, standardized process statewide. District personnel who will submit referrals must:
- Register as an MDE Guest User (if necessary)
- Complete the required portal training
- Request access to their district and school folders
- Complete Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as required by MDE security policy
A detailed Guest User Access Guide is attached.
Attendance Referral Process
To assist districts, we have included updated Attendance Referral Flow Charts outlining required actions at each attendance threshold.
Key reminders include:
- 3 cumulative absences (excused or unexcused):
- Contact the parent/guardian.
- Document communication.
- Begin school-based interventions.
- 5 cumulative unlawful absences:
- Submit a referral to the School Attendance Officer.
- Continue interventions and document all efforts.
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Continue submitting referrals at 8, 12, 15, and every additional five unlawful absences thereafter, while maintaining intervention documentation and family engagement efforts.
Mississippi Attendance Playbook
We are also pleased to share the draft Mississippi Attendance Playbook, which provides practical guidance for implementing the revised law. The Playbook includes:
- Plain-language explanations of statutory requirements
- Strategies for reducing chronic absenteeism
- Parent communication examples
- Attendance intervention guidance
- Early Warning System (EWS) recommendations
- Attendance Success Plans
- Family engagement strategies
- Community partnership resources
Moving Forward
Our goal is to provide districts with practical tools and consistent guidance that strengthen attendance practices while improving student outcomes. We appreciate your partnership and commitment to ensuring every Mississippi student has the opportunity to attend school regularly and succeed.
Please share these resources with your administrative teams, attendance clerks, counselors, and other staff responsible for attendance monitoring and reporting.
If you have questions regarding implementation, please contact the Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement and Dropout Prevention.
Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to Mississippi's students.
Sincerely,
Bryan Marshall PhD, Associate State Superintendent
Innovation and Support Services
bmarshall@mdek12.org
601-359-3514 | mdek12.org
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