The calculator is organized into five steps outlined below.

Step 1: Identify a baseline year
Begin by determining a baseline year. This could be the 2023-24 school year, or another year that best reflects your state's starting point.

Step 2: Enter the state enrollment count
Next, enter your state's total student enrollment count from the baseline year into the spreadsheet. This data point will serve as the foundation for calculating the five-year attendance goal.

Step 3: Enter the baseline chronic absence rate
Input the chronic absence rate from your baseline year. The Chronic Absence Goal Calculator will use this rate, along with the enrollment data, to generate a five-year goal and annual targets for reducing chronic absenteeism.

Example: If your baseline chronic absence rate is 17.5%, and the goal is to reduce this rate by 50% over five years, the calculator might suggest a target of 12.5% by the 2028-29 school year. For a state with 600,000 students, this translates to reducing the number of chronically absent students by approximately 2.5% each year, which equals approximately 15,000 students annually.

Step 4: Identify which student groups, districts and grade levels need greater support
In addition to setting an overall state goal, it's crucial to examine if particular student groups, grade levels and districts have greater percentages or numbers of chronically absent students. This targeted approach will not only address disparities but can also support a state’s equity priorities.
As you review chronic absence data by student groups grade levels and districts, consider the following guiding questions to help the state team decide where to focus.

• What are the chronic absence levels by grade level or student group?
• Which grades, student groups or districts have the highest rates of chronic absenteeism?
• Which grades, student groups or districts have the greatest number of students chronically absent?

Step 5: Evaluate and adjust support strategies
Once a state goal and priority groups, grades or districts are set, evaluate how the state is currently supporting students who are chronically absent. Consider the following question.

• What strategies are in place to support these students or districts?
• Where are the bright spots (student groups, grades or places with better than anticipated results)?
• What explains their success? What are the implications for action?
• Are additional measures needed to achieve reductions?
• How can resources be better allocated to support these efforts?