Race Matters Institute, January 2013. This report examines the effect of chronic absence on the early grades particularly for children of color who face “racialized” barriers to attendance. Barriers explored include health problems caused by environmental toxins, ineffective school outreach to parents, logistical difficulties, residential instability, and early school suspension and expulsion. The report calls for better data on absenteeism that begins earlier in life, greater school contributions to student health and transportation, and stronger partnerships between schools, parents, decision-makers, and other systems to work to prevent chronic absenteeism.