Foundational strategies are practices for the whole school that promote positive conditions for learning. When positive conditions are in place, students are more likely to attend and be engaged. (See graphic below).

Tier 1 strategies are aimed at encouraging better attendance for all students and at preventing absenteeism before it affects achievement.

Tier 2 interventions are designed to remove barriers to attendance for students at greater risk of chronic absenteeism, such as those who missed 10% of the school year, the standard definition of chronic absenteeism. These students and families should receive personalized attention as part of the engagement strategy. 

Tier 3 interventions provide intensive support to students missing the most school, often involving not just schools but other agencies such as health, housing and social services, and typically requiring case management customized to individual students’ challenges. Students missing 20% or more of the school year benefit from the addition of this intensive level of support.