Following school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, chronic absenteeism has endured as an issue confronting schools across the country. Previous analysis of statewide attendance data confirmed nationwide findings regarding the strong relationship between attendance and student performance. The need remains for further, Department-specific investigation of this confounding phenomenon, including the shared and distinct factors contributing to regular attendance and chronic absenteeism.

1. How do specific school communities understand student attendance?
a. What factors contribute to student absences?
b. What factors contribute to regular student attendance?
2. How do specific school communities address student absenteeism?
What strategies exist to encourage student attendance?
a. How effective are existing strategies in encouraging student attendance?
b. How could existing strategies be more effective in encouraging student attendance at partner schools and schools across the Department?
3. How might schools improve regular attendance rates?
a. Which (new) strategies should be adopted to encourage student attendance?
b. How might other data sets be leveraged to identify effective strategies?