Below is a list of research related to attendance
The reports on this page are listed chronologically and examine the issue of chronic absence nationwide and in selected communities. Use the search box to find research using the first few words of the paper title. See the early education, elementary, secondary and other research categories on the right. To submit new research, please contact us.
An Overlooked Early Warning Signal: Chronic Absence and District Mobility in Grades K-3 in California
Kevin Gee and Hedy Chang. This analysis found that chronically absent K-3 students are more likely to change districts between school years, and to remain chronically absent in their new districts compared to those who stayed.
The Persistence of Chronic Absence Between Kindergarten and 1st grade in California: Insights to Break the Cycle of Absenteeism
Kevin Gee, H. N. Chang and C. Leong. The analysis finds that chronically absent kindergartners were 7.2 times more likely to be chronically absent in 1st grade versus nonchronically absent kindergartners, underscoring the need to tackle chronic absence early before negative impacts on learning and development accumulate.
Recent Immigration Raids Increased Student Absences
Dee, Thomas S. Stanford University; Graduate School of Education. This working paper evaluates whether heightened immigration enforcement during early 2025 increased student absences. Using daily attendance data for students in grades K-12 from five Central Valley school districts in California, the study finds that school absences increase by 22 percent during and after a series of unexpected immigration raids—an effect…
More Essential Than Ever: States Taking Action To Improve Attendance
This brief, our fifth annual examination of state attendance data, policy, and practices, shows that 49 states are publishing chronic absence data. It is based on a review of websites for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as a survey completed by the states. The brief showcases success stories from Colorado and Virginia.
Unpacking Unexcused Absences in Maryland: A Working Paper
Unpacking Unexcused Absences in Maryland: A Working Paper by Attendance Works and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville School of Nursing, April 2025. This report examines how policies and practices of the truancy system—the application of the unexcused absence code–could be hindering efforts to improve attendance, particularly for the student groups with high rates of chronic absence.
Continued High Levels of Chronic Absence, With Some Improvements, Require Action
Continued High Levels of Chronic Absence, With Some Improvements, Require Action by Attendance Works and the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University, January 2025. This report examines newly released national data from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2022–23 school year, showing that while chronic absence declined slightly, it remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Stemming the Surge in Chronic Absence: What States Can Do, A Fourth Annual Review of State Attendance Policy and Practice
Stemming the Surge in Chronic Absence: What States Can Do, A Fourth Annual Review of State Attendance Policy and Practice by Attendance Works, June 2024. This brief is our fourth annual review of how states are and could make a difference in school attendance with new policies and practices. Reversing today’s chronic absenteeism requires state leaders to make reducing chronic…