Arlington ISD promotes Attendance Awareness Month
September isn’t just the start of a new school year – it’s the time when habits are built and expectations are set. And one of the most important habits students can establish is showing up every day.
Research is clear: strong attendance in the first month of school is a powerful predictor of attendance for the rest of the year. Simply put, success in school begins with being present. After all, you can’t do well in school if you’re not there.
Little Elementary School principal Beth Anne Woodard knows how important it is to get off to a good start.
“It takes about three weeks to form a habit,” Woodard said. “It is so important that students are present at school every day so it becomes their daily routine coming off the summer months. At the beginning of each year, foundations for strong relationships are formed and routines are set that ensure a successful year for students.”
Why Attendance Matters
A study of Baltimore schools found that students who missed just two to four days in September were five times more likely to become chronically absent later in the year.
Chronic absence means missing 10% of the school year – just two or three days a month. That may not sound like much, but it adds up quickly. Students who are chronically absent are more likely to fall behind in reading and math, score lower on tests, and even face a higher risk of dropping out. The consequences stretch far beyond the classroom, affecting future opportunities in college, career, and life.
A child’s educational foundation starts early, and the skills and knowledge they learn in kindergarten and first grade can impact the rest of their schooling – and their entire lives. Research shows that chronic absentees in kindergarten go on to have the lowest performance in first grade. Already behind in first grade, these student’s academic problems only snowball as they grow older. Chronic absence correlates to difficulty reading in third grade and low achievement in middle school or junior high. By sixth grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school (BERC).
Arlington Collegiate High School principal Jeffrey Krieger summed it up well.
“A student cannot fulfill their true potential if they are not physically present every day. Our campus can provide all the supports in the world, but if the student is not here to participate, their chances of success are greatly reduced.”
Building Strong Futures, One Day at a Time
Good attendance is about more than showing up – it’s about building strong habits, forming connections, and creating opportunities for lifelong success. And it starts now.
If you know a student who is missing school, this is the time to step in and help them get back on track. Every day matters, and every day counts.
Learn more about the importance of attendance at Attendance Works.