Chronic Absenteeism
Welcome to the Virginia Department of Education’s Chronic Absenteeism: Assisting Virginia’s Students and Their Families. These modules are focused on understanding the short and long-term problems associated with chronic absenteeism and addressing chronic absenteeism through school, family, and community-based measures. This information is for school personnel, students, parents, and community members.
Understanding Chronic Absenteeism
After watching this module, you will know more about the impact of chronic absenteeism on student achievement; become familiar with attendance accountability measures; understand the differences between chronic absenteeism and other attendance data; and have explored the factors that influence school attendance.
Using Actionable Data to Address Chronic Absenteeism
After watching this module, you will understand what types of data will help inform school practices for addressing chronic absenteeism and learn how actionable data can help schools make strategic choices about where to target their resources and interventions.
Building Capacity to Address Chronic Absenteeism
After watching this module, you will understand the framework for building the capacity in your school system to address chronic absenteeism. This framework includes conducting a needs assessment, establishing processes and team structures to address chronic absenteeism, and equipping the staff with skills and resources to improve attendance.
Positive Engagement
This module is focused on relationship-building with students and families to improve attendance. In this module, you will learn more about how to build relationships as one of the elements of a positive school climate. Research shows that engagement, or the strong connections between school staff, students, and families, positively impacts attendance.
Module Resources
- Attendance & Truancy
- VDOE Standards of Accreditation
- Overview of Chronic Absenteeism Calculation Webinar
- Applying Chronic Absenteeism to Accountability
- Virginia Tiered System of Supports
- Attendance Works website - Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
- Understanding Regulations Governing Restraint and Seclusion