The Importance of Reducing Chronic Absence in the Early Grades

In celebration of Attendance Awareness Month, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, The Providence Plan, and the Rhode Island Data 
Sharing Project held a special event for educators, policymakers, and community leaders: The Importance of Reducing Chronic Absence in the Early Grades. The event was held on Monday, September 29, 2014, from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, One Union Station, in Providence. 

The event included the presentation of: 

• Reducing Chronic Early Absence: A new Fact Sheet from Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, and 
• Chronic Absenteeism Among Kindergarten Students: A new Data Story from the RI DataHUB.
   

Regular attendance at school is an essential step for children to succeed 
academically and do well in life. During the early elementary school years, children 
develop important skills and approaches to learning that are critical for success in 
the classroom. Students who are chronically absent from school during these early 
years miss opportunities to learn and develop positive relationships within the 
school community. Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% or more of the school 
year (18 or more days for a 180-day school year).