Chronic Absence Initiative Full Service

Community School 5

Chronic Absence: missing 10% or more of school over the course of an academic year for any reason (excused or unexcused). 2 days missed/month, for 10 months=CA

We piloted our Chronic Absence Initiative during the 2013-2014 school year and used the data from 2012-2013 as our baseline.

At the end of the 2013-2014 school year, our data showed a 76% decrease in our chronically absent population.

Pilot Year

2012-2013 2013-2014Kindergarten 31 Kindergarten 2

1st Grade 17 1st Grade 6

2nd Grade 20 2nd Grade 4

3rd Grade 13 3rd Grade 7

4th Grade 14 4th Grade 2

5th Grade 24 5th Grade 9

6th Grade 33 6th Grade 6

Total: 152 Total: 36

Success MentorsAt School 5, Special Education Teachers and Instructional Aides have volunteered to mentor students that have been identified as “chronically absent.”

Success mentors conduct daily check-ins with their mentees and document student attendance patterns. Check-ins provide the students with support and knowledge that their presence in school is meaningful.

Check-in data is used to track student progress towards having Satisfactory Attendance: missing 5% or less over the course of an academic year.

Success mentors received recognition

from the Principal.

Chronic Absence & PBSIS

According to the NJ PBSIS website,

“Research suggests that schools with a positive

social climate are associated with fewer

occurrences of conduct problems and better student performance

outcomes (e.g., achievement and

attendance).”

Success Mentor

Positive School

Climate/Culture

Improved Student Attendance