Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more school days, regardless of the reason. This is not truancy (absent without an excuse from the student's family); this is not being in school, no matter what the reason, including documented illness. Attendance Works, a non-profit organization that works to support school and families with attendance, says:
"Prior to the pandemic, an estimated 8 million (1 out of 7) students in the United States were at risk academically each year because they are chronically absent—missing 10% or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused and unexcused absences as well as suspensions. Today the number is much, much higher. We estimate it doubled—increasing from 1 out of 6 students in the 2018–19 school year to nearly 1 out of 3 students by the end of the 2021–22 school year."
- Attendance Works, attendanceworks.org
We want to help. If you have concerns about your child's school attendance, please call us. We are very happy to meet with you and discuss ways we can help to ensure that your child is in school every single day they can be. We are showing up together to ensure our students are here to get the very best education and support there is to offer!
Call (207)854-0830 x3004 for more information about how we can help.