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.
For Families: How can I help my student with regular attendance?
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 availabe in the Chronic Absenteeism Toolkit (coming soon).
Informational Handouts
Chronic Absenteeism at a Glance
One-Page Overview of Strategies for Educators (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
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
Infinite Campus Transient Student Population Report Quick Reference Card
KDE Pupil Attendance Program Documents
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
Contact details are located at the bottom of the website.
Chronic Absenteeism Training and Resources - Florence Chang
Attendance and Enrollment Questions - Ronda Devine
Statute
KRS 159.010 - Age limits for compulsory attendance - notification and counseling prior to withdrawal - encouragement to reenroll after withdrawal
Related Resources
Sustaining Efforts to Boost Regular Student Attendance (U.S. Department of Education Resources)
Improving Attendance and Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
"Chronic School Absenteeism and the Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences" (Academic Pediatrics)
Video Collection: Attendance Matters (REL West)
A Randomized Experiment Using Absenteeism Information to "Nudge" Attendance
National Organizations with Chronic Absence Resources
National Student Attendance, Engagement and Success Center
Student Engagement and Attendance Technical Assistance Center (SEA)
Florence Chang, PhD
Division of Student Success
Office of Continuous Improvement & Support
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-4772, ext. 4169
florence.chang@education.ky.gov
Ronda Devine
Office of Finance and Operations
Division of District Support
300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-5279
Fax (502) 564-6771
Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel (KDPP) is a professional organization designed to support the training, networking, and professionalism amongst those who hold the role of DPP in Kentucky’s 171 school districts. No two roles look the same, but KDPP is focused on mentorship and connecting DPPs with services that will better the outcome for students. We have working relationships with a variety of organizations ranging from safety to legislative. We work closely with the Kentucky Association of School Administrators.
Our Services
17 Regions across the Commonwealth of Kentucky compose the make-up of KDPP. Each region is represented by an appointed representative who participates in the KDPP Board of Directors.
Joey Kilburn DPP of Simpson County and Marci Prater DPP of Boyd County testifying to the House Education Committe Committee in regards to the pandemics impact on school attendance across the state of Kentucky.