Avoid the Spring Slump – Keep Attendance Strong!

As we enter spring, student attendance often declines — a trend known as the Spring Slump. Research shows that students who miss just two days a month (or 10% of the school year) are at risk of falling behind academically¹. Regular attendance is crucial for academic achievement, engagement, and future success.

Tips for Maintaining Strong Attendance

Here are some strategies to help maintain strong attendance:

• Maintain Consistent Routines – Studies show that children with regular sleep and morning routines are more likely to attend school consistently². Set a bedtime and morning schedule to ensure your child starts the day ready to learn.
• Reinforce the Importance of Attendance – Students with families who prioritize daily attendance are more engaged and motivated. One way to prioritize daily attendance is to support your student through going to school even when it’s hard. You could even model how you’ve worked through successfully showing up for something you really didn’t feel like doing in the past.
• Schedule Appointments Wisely – The U.S. Department of Education³ recommends planning medical appointments and family trips outside of school hours to prevent unnecessary absences. If you are unable to schedule appointments outside of school hours, please encourage your student to attend school before and/or after the appointment.
• Seek Support When Needed – If your family faces challenges affecting attendance, such as transportation or health concerns, please reach out to your student’s school counselor. Schools have resources to help.

Let’s work together to keep our students on track for a strong finish to the 2024-2025 school year!

1 Attendance Works. (2021). Attendance: A key to success. Retrieved from www.attendanceworks.org

2 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2020). Healthy sleep habits for children. Retrieved from www.nichd.nih.gov

3 U.S. Department of Education. (2019). Chronic absenteeism in the nation’s schools. Retrieved from www.ed.gov