Every Day Counts!
Success in school starts in Kindergarten and attendance is one of those factors that can help a child succeed. Research shows that students at any grade have difficulty catching up if they miss too much school. It also shows that absenteeism is a very strong predictor of dropout rates; more than suspensions, test scores or retention.
Parents and schools can work together to ensure student success. By making attending school a priority, students have a better chance of succeeding and feeling good about their progress in school.
When do 'absences' become a problem?
Partners in Attendance
- Parents play an important role in the education of their children. Their involvement and encouragement can help a child excel.
- Other family members and friends also play a key role in making sure students understand why they need to attend school to succeed.
- Success in school starts with regular attendance from the early years right through high school completion. Did you know that even as early as Kindergarten, chronic absenteeism makes it more difficult to learn?
- Parents and schools can work together to find solutions that support children’s success in earning.
Alberta Education provides resources to support parent involvement. For more information visit: My Child's Learning: A Parent Resource (learnalberta.ca)
Can’t, won’t or don’t attend?
Cannot
Sometimes students cannot attend school because of illness, injury, family problems, housing instability or involvement with the justice system.
Will Not
Sometimes students will not attend school to avoid bullying, unsafe conditions, harassment, embarrassment related to learning difficulties, physical challenges, new environment or even sanctions for being late.
Do Not
Sometimes students do not attend school because they may not be aware of the importance of going to school.
What can you do?
- Make attendance a priority
- Be sure your child gets enough sleep
- Have a regular homework schedule
- Communicate with your child’s teachers
- Encourage your child to participate in school clubs and after-school activities
If your child can’t, won’t or doesn’t attend, please make the attendance connection with your child’s school.
Resources for Parents
Please feel free to download, share and print the following files:
- Attendance Matters - Kindergarten Ready (8.5x11)
- Attendance Matters - Elementary Poster (8.5x11)
- Attendance Matters - Junior High and High School Poster (8.5x11)
- Attendance Matters - Infographic (11x17)
Visit Attendance Works https://www.attendanceworks.org/ for more attendance strategies and resources.
Attendance Facts
Parents and schools can work together to find solutions that support children’s success in learning.
Success in school starts with regular attendance from the early years right through high school completion. Did you know that even as early as Kindergarten, chronic absenteeism makes it more difficult to learn?
Did you know…for students to experience success, positive connections must be created and maintained between the school staff, the student and their family?
A student who has missed 10 percent (about 18 days) or more of the school year or in the previous year missed a month of school.
Children often find it difficult to catch up on missed work.
Parents underestimate their child’s absences by 50%.
Reducing chronic absence can help close achievement gaps.
Only 17% of kids who are chronically absent in Kindergarten and 1st grade are proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade.
