What Is Chronic Absenteeism?
Missing School = Missing Out!
Staying home from school doesn’t just mean your student is missing a day of academic work; it also means missing out on connecting with friends, interacting with caring teachers and staff, and a day of fun!
At Fort Worth ISD, every day counts. We don’t want your child to miss a second of the enriched learning experience we plan for them.
We’re committed to fighting chronic absenteeism within our district because we want all students to succeed.
What is chronic absenteeism?
The state defines chronic absenteeism as attendance falling below 90% based on the student’s enrollment date.
There are three ways Fort Worth ISD takes attendance:
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Average Daily Attendance (ADA) time: This set time, during which schools mark attendance, is used by the state in a funding formula.
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Truancy: Fort Worth ISD identifies truancy by examining unexcused absences. If a student accrues 10 or more unexcused absences, the district may send the family to truancy court.
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Compulsory attendance: Compulsory attendance is determined for grade promotion or course credit. In elementary, attendance is taken one time and counts for all three types of attendance. In secondary school, attendance is taken each class period. In all grade levels, students whose attendance is below 90% of the days enrolled are not eligible for grade promotion or course credit.
Why is regular attendance so important?
Regular attendance not only influences district funding but also has a direct positive impact on your child’s learning.
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Elementary students missing an average of just two days per month are less likely to read on grade level by third grade.
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Chronically absent middle school students lag behind their peers in social development.
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High school students who are chronically absent are more likely to drop out than their academically struggling counterparts.
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Students at all grade levels with chronic absenteeism are less likely to perform well on state tests.
How can families support regular attendance?
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Check in with your student daily! Ask them what they learned at school each day and ask to see their homework. Additionally, take time to ask them about their friends or what they talked about at lunch; take time to show you care about the social aspects of their day so you let your child know they can talk to you.
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Encourage your student to get involved in some kind of club, team, or other organization. Fun incentives like this motivate children to come to school, especially when participation hinges on good attendance.
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Make sure you’re opted in to receive phone calls from the district so you can get an automatic call when your child is absent.
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Use your Parent Portal login to check attendance, grades, communicate with the school, or send notes to the office.
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Try to schedule doctor, dentist, and other appointments outside of school hours as much as possible.
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We understand varied work schedules but emphasize the importance of aligning drop-off and pick-up times with school hours. If your child is missing class, they’re missing valuable instruction time. Every minute of the day counts!
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Please bring your student to school unless they are sick and contagious!
What are some practical tips and resources to help combat absenteeism?
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If personal issues arise that affect attendance, reach out to your student’s counselor, intervention specialist, or administrator.
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District Health Services and City of Fort Worth Community Centers can provide helpful resources and referrals.
By working together, we can ensure that every school day contributes to your child's growth and success.