Every Day Matters: Attendance Awareness Month

September is Attendance Awareness Month, and Rockwall ISD is reminding families that every school day matters. Regular attendance is one of the single most important ways families can help their children succeed academically and build strong relationships at school. Everyone has a role in improving attendance and ensuring that students are ready to learn and grow each day.

Did You Know?

• Missing just one or two days a month can add up to missing 10 percent of the school year.
• Research shows that chronic absence significantly contributes to weaker kindergarten readiness, including letter recognition and pre-literacy.
• Missing critical literacy instruction in kindergarten and first grade can lead to lower rates of third-grade reading proficiency.
• In Middle School, chronic absenteeism is a major warning sign for failing key classes and is a future risk of dropping out of high school.
• By ninth grade, attendance is a No. 1 predictor of graduation rates.

Tips to Avoid Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy

• Unexcused absences can lead to truancy. Making attendance a priority and communicating with your campus if you anticipate an absence or are having health or transportation challenges can help prevent truancy.
• Scheduling appointments outside of school hours can help avoid students falling behind in school.
• Students can begin to reverse their academic difficulties if they improve their attendance. When students attend school more regularly, they have more opportunities to receive instruction, practice important skills, and participate in experiences that make school meaningful.

Rockwall ISD encourages every family to make attendance a priority all year long, because every day matters!