Attendance Awareness Month
Attendance Awareness Month is a nationwide campaign held every September to promote the importance of regular school attendance. It aims to reduce chronic absenteeism and emphasize the critical link between good attendance and academic success.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: September
- Tagged as: Education, Awareness
- What’s the hashtag?: #AttendanceAwarenessMonth
- When was it founded?: 2013
- Who founded it?: Attendance Works
History of Attendance Awareness Month
The Attendance Awareness Campaign was first launched in September 2013 by Attendance Works. The initiative was created to address the growing concern of chronic absenteeism in schools across the United States. Since its inception, the campaign has gained support from over 100 national organizations and state education agencies, working together to spread the message about the importance of regular school attendance.
Timeline
- 2013: Attendance Awareness Month is established
- 2018: Ohio’s chronic absenteeism rate reaches 16.7%
- 2022-2023: Ohio’s chronic absenteeism rate improves to 26.8%
- 2024: The campaign celebrates its 12th year
Upcoming Dates
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 1 | Monday |
| 2026 | September 1 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 1 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 1 | Friday |
| 2029 | September 1 | Saturday |
| 2030 | September 1 | Sunday |
Observed
Attendance Awareness Month is observed by schools, districts, and communities across the United States. Activities include special events, assemblies, parent-teacher conferences, and public awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of regular school attendance.
Fun Facts About Attendance Awareness Month
- Over 8 million U.S. students miss nearly a month of school each year
- Missing just two days of school per month can lead to chronic absenteeism
- Good attendance habits can be established as early as kindergarten and first grade
- By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator of whether students will drop out of high school
Quiz
- True or False: Students don’t start missing a lot of school until middle or high school.
- True or False: Missing one day of school per month, even in the younger grades, lowers a child’s likelihood of graduating from high school.
- True or False: Attendance is a shared responsibility between a student, the parent or caregiver, and the school community.
(Answers: 1. False, 2. True, 3. True)
FAQs
Q: How is chronic absenteeism defined?
A: Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, including both excused and unexcused absences.
Q: Can family vacations be considered excused absences?
A: Planned absences like family vacations are generally discouraged. Parents should request approval in advance from the school principal or superintendent for extended absences.
Importance of Attendance Awareness Month
Attendance Awareness Month is crucial for highlighting the strong connection between regular school attendance and academic achievement. It mobilizes schools, families, and community partners to promote attendance and implement strategies to reduce chronic absence, ultimately improving students’ chances of academic success and graduation.
Related
- Education Month
- Back-to-School Season
- National School Success Month
- World Teachers’ Day