Does Every Day Count?   Understanding Chronic Absenteeism in Gwinnett County Public Schools 

Chronic absenteeism is widely defined as missing 10% or more of the number of school days a student is enrolled. In Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), where a school year consists of 180 days, 18 missed school days, whether excused or unexcused, would be considered chronically absent.

Here is a general breakdown of what is defined as an excused or unexcused absence (please refer to GCPS’ attendance policy for an extensive list):

• Excused absences are those with a valid reason and have been communicated to the school by a parent/guardian (student illness, religious observances, medical appointments, death in the student’s immediate family, court-ordered appearance, and family emergencies). 
• Unexcused absences or truancy occur when students miss school without a valid reason (skipping, oversleeping, missing the bus, or family vacation).
• Disciplinary absences are a result of school suspension. 

Did You Know:

If your child misses...	That equals...	Across 13 years of schooling, this is...
1 day every 2 weeks	20 days or 4 weeks per year	Nearly 1.5 years of schooling
1 day each week	40 days or 8 weeks per year	Over 2.5 years of schooling
2 days per week	80 days or 16 weeks per year	Over 5 years of schooling
3 days per week	120 days or 24 weeks per year	Over 7.5 years of schooling

Chronic absenteeism in schools has seen a significant rise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and affects more than 7 million students in the United States, representing about 16% of the student population. Reports indicate that the percentage of students who are chronically absent jumped from 15% in 2018 to around 28% in 2022. In GCPS, our absenteeism rate more than doubled from 2018 (8.2%) to 2024 (18.5%).

The rise of chronic absenteeism across the nation has been attributed to various factors, including the long-term effects of the pandemic, economic hardships, school avoidance, youth mental health, and misconceptions about school attendance. Gwinnett County Public Schools has aligned resources to help alleviate some of the barriers that impact student attendance, as chronic absenteeism has been linked to lower academic performance and the risk of dropping out of school.  

Research has shown that: 

• Chronic absenteeism begins as early as pre-kindergarten. 

• Students who are chronically absent have a much greater likelihood of not reading at grade level by the end of the 3rd grade.

• By 6th grade, chronic absence is one of three early warning signs that a student is more likely to drop out of school.

• By 9th grade, student attendance is a better predictor of graduation than 8th grade.

 

Everyday Counts in GCPS! 

To answer the question that was posed in the title, Yes, every day does count! When students begin to make a habit of not attending school, they risk falling behind academically and dropping out of school. To help support students in reaching their fullest potential, addressing chronic absenteeism requires a collaborative effort between schools, families, and communities. 

Tips for Families to Encourage Regular Attendance	Tips for Schools to Encourage Regular Attendance
Establish a reliable routine   Communicate the value of education  Engage with teachers and school staff   Schedule appointments before or after school hours or during school breaks  If needed, seek support from your child’s school counselor or social worker  Stay abreast of your child’s attendance via GCPS platforms (Parent Portal, Parent Square)	Complete and implement the Local School Attendance Plan   Complete district-wide attendance trainings  Know what wraparound supports are available to the school and for students  Stay abreast of the district's attendance protocol   Foster a culture of prioritizing good attendance  Monitoring attendance data and trends

Let’s Work Together 

By working together, parents, students, and the school district can enhance the educational outcome of each and every GCPS student by encouraging consistent school attendance so that they benefit from the opportunities that education provides. This collaborative effort can help students not only in becoming college and career ready, but also develop the skills and confidence needed to pursue their dreams and goals throughout their educational and professional journeys.

 

 

Find more resources to support daily attendance at school and important information for families; visit Every Day Counts in GCPS!