Research by Attendance Works
For the full list of research and reports, please visit the All Research page.
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.
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…
Turning Back the Tide: The Critical Role of States In Reducing Chronic Absence
Turning Back the Tide: The Critical Role of States In Reducing Chronic Absenteeism, by Attendance Works and the Everyone Graduates Center, Johns Hopkins University. The unprecedented levels of post-pandemic chronic absenteeism compels action from state education agencies and policymakers. This analysis recommends states lead a comprehensive, data-informed approach that equips districts to take local action