Below is a list of research related to attendance
The reports on this page are listed chronologically and examine the issue of chronic absence nationwide and in selected communities. Use the search box to find research using the first few words of the paper title. See the early education, elementary, secondary and other research categories on the right. To submit new research, please contact us.
Recent Immigration Raids Increased Student Absences
Dee, Thomas S. Stanford University; Graduate School of Education. This working paper evaluates whether heightened immigration enforcement during early 2025 increased student absences. Using daily attendance data for students in grades K-12 from five Central Valley school districts in California, the study finds that school absences increase by 22 percent during and after a series of unexpected immigration raids—an effect…
More Essential Than Ever: States Taking Action To Improve Attendance
This brief, our fifth annual examination of state attendance data, policy, and practices, shows that 49 states are publishing chronic absence data. It is based on a review of websites for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as a survey completed by the states. The brief showcases success stories from Colorado and Virginia.
Unpacking Unexcused Absences in Maryland: A Working Paper
Unpacking Unexcused Absences in Maryland: A Working Paper by Attendance Works and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville School of Nursing, April 2025. This report examines how policies and practices of the truancy system—the application of the unexcused absence code–could be hindering efforts to improve attendance, particularly for the student groups with high rates of chronic absence.
Continued High Levels of Chronic Absence, With Some Improvements, Require Action
Continued High Levels of Chronic Absence, With Some Improvements, Require Action by Attendance Works and the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University, January 2025. This report examines newly released national data from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2022–23 school year, showing that while chronic absence declined slightly, it remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Stemming the Surge in Chronic Absence: What States Can Do, A Fourth Annual Review of State Attendance Policy and Practice
Stemming the Surge in Chronic Absence: What States Can Do, A Fourth Annual Review of State Attendance Policy and Practice by Attendance Works, June 2024. This brief is our fourth annual review of how states are and could make a difference in school attendance with new policies and practices. Reversing today’s chronic absenteeism requires state leaders to make reducing chronic…
Attendance Practices in High-Absenteeism Districts
Singer, Jeremy. Annenberg Institute at Brown University, EdWorking Paper No.24-932. This working paper inventories attendance practices 47 high-absenteeism districts in Michigan implemented in the 2022-2023 school year. The results reveal which strategies, infrastructures and approaches were popular within these school districts, along with their potential and limitations.