Chronic Absenteeism: Every Day Counts
Chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 10% or more of school days, including both excused and unexcused absences. We know every family faces unique challenges and some absences are unavoidable. Scheduling appointments and trips outside of school hours when possible helps ensure students stay on track. Daily attendance is key to engagement, learning and growth. Derby Public Schools is here to support families in making the most of every school day because every day counts toward your child’s success.
Did You Know?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.
- Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
- Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
- Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher must slow down learning to help children catch up.
- By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
- Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with schoolwork, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
- By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and can develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.
- By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
- The State of Kansas defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10 percent or more of the days school is in session, whether the absences are excused or unexcused. Truancy is defined as being absent for three consecutive school days, five days in any semester or seven days in a school year without a valid excuse.
Benefits for Attending School Regularly
Achievement: Students who attend school regularly are more likely to do better on reading and math assessments than students who do not attend school regularly.
Opportunity: Being in school every day gives students opportunities to learn from others and to learn important information about future aspirations.
Exposure to the English Language: Regular school attendance can also help students who are learning English by giving them the opportunity to master skills more quickly.
Being Part of the School Community: Just by being present at school, your child is learning how to participate in the school community and learning valuable social skills.
By The Numbers
| Absenteeism | Average |
|---|---|
| 2023 State | 21.8% |
| 2023 District | 21.36% |
| 2024 State | 19.8% |
| 2024 District |
20.77% |
| 2025 District Goal | 12-13% |
Supporting Each Student
Derby Public Schools is committed to ensuring each student’s success. The district is working to reduce chronic absenteeism each year, ensuring students benefit from consistent, uninterrupted learning experiences. We believe that, by working together with families, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. As a district, we are aiming to reduce our average absenteeism rate to 12-13% for 2025.
Students: What Can You Do?
Make it a goal to be in school every day, and if you're feeling overwhelmed or need help, talk to your teachers or school counselor. Here are a few tips for students to stay engaged in school and reduce chronic absenteeism:
Parents/Guardians: What Can You Do?
You play an important role in helping your child attend school regularly. Here’s how you can support them:
