Articles by the Superintendent

Regular School Attendance Is Essential

Dr. Mike Ewton
April 1, 2025

For better or worse, our society has changed in ways we could have never predicted before the COVID-19 pandemic. One negative change in schools is a diminished perception of the importance of regular attendance and punctuality to student growth and achievement. Chronic absenteeism is a growing concern nationwide. Unfortunately, our community is not immune. While some absences due to illness or family emergencies are unavoidable, students often miss school for preventable reasons. Whether it’s a late start to the morning, a family trip, or a pattern of disengagement, each missed day significantly impacts a student’s learning.

Student absentee rates are consistently higher than in pre-pandemic years. This trend is not unique to Whitfield County Schools. School districts across the state and nation report experiencing the same issues. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% of the instructional days in a school year. In the 2018-2019 school year, 10.9% of Whitfield County Schools students were considered chronically absent, compared to 12.1% statewide. Last school year, our chronic absenteeism had increased to 17.7% locally, with statewide rates rising to 22.6%.  

Research from the Brookings Institute reveals that many parents are unaware of absenteeism's impact on their children’s learning. Missing classroom instruction impacts student growth and achievement whether or not the absence is for an excused reason. Student and family awareness of the problem is the first step to improving school attendance rates. We must be mindful that every missed hour of instruction impacts student learning. 

In addition to its importance for academic success, attendance is also important for a child’s sense of belonging and emotional well-being. Schools are places where students form friendships, build confidence, and discover their interests and passions. Being present means being part of a community. From a teacher’s perspective, it is also difficult to maintain productive relationships with students who are often not in the classroom. Chronically absent students can also negatively impact other students by making it challenging for teachers to establish classroom norms and slowing the rate of instruction for the class. 

According to the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, chronically absent students are far less likely to read at grade level by third grade. This is especially important since students are four times more likely to drop out of high school later if they are not reading at grade level by the third grade. Beyond the early grades, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education reports that irregular school attendance is a stronger predictor of not completing high school than most other factors, including test scores. 

In addition to being required by state law, school attendance is an element of the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) accountability scores for public school districts in Georgia. The chronic absenteeism of individual students can significantly impact how schools are scored and perceived in the community. 

As a school system, we understand the importance of student attendance because we care deeply about the success of every child. We partner with families to understand the root causes of absenteeism. Whether related to health care issues, housing instability, specific family situations, or other barriers, we work together to find solutions. Being present at school is the first step toward attaining academic success and achieving the ultimate goal of college or career readiness. Just as it is for working adults, learning that being present is a fundamental responsibility will help set our kids up for a bright and prosperous future—attendance matters.