September marks Attendance Awareness Month, an important time to spotlight one of the lesser-known predictors of student achievement: simply showing up. Attendance isn’t just about being present; it’s about creating pathways for students to thrive in their educational journey.

The statistics are clear and compelling. Students who miss just two days of school per month are significantly more likely to struggle with reading at grade level and face challenges graduating. According to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), chronic absenteeism impacts students across all age groups, making early intervention essential for long-term academic success.

For many students, the barriers to attendance can be complicated. Life circumstances, such as family instability, health concerns, economic challenges, or a lack of supportive relationships, can create significant obstacles to consistent school attendance.

ESD 112 has developed a comprehensive Attendance and Reengagement Program that serves districts throughout southwest Washington. This program, with its wide-ranging supports and resources, embodies a fundamental belief: youth who are engaged in their community and connected with positive, supportive adults will perform better in school overall.

“Getting to know our students, their families, and the community is key to truly engaging them in education,” said Claire Pearson-Walker, Attendance & Reengagement Manager at ESD 112.  “When we take a holistic approach to attendance—seeing the whole child and their support system—we can build stronger connections, which directly impacts learning and success.”

Our Attendance and Reengagement Program addresses truancy by connecting students and families to essential community and school district resources.

The program addresses a broad spectrum of challenges that can impact attendance:

  • Family-related issues and instability
  • Physical and mental health concerns
  • Substance use challenges
  • Housing insecurity
  • Academic placement concerns

Essential Resources

For Educators and Schools:

Health and wellness considerations for families:

While consistent attendance is crucial, we also recognize that sometimes students need to stay home for health reasons. OSPI provides valuable guidance for families navigating these decisions here.

Stronger Together

Attendance Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that student success is a community effort. Through collaborative partnerships between families, schools, and organizations like ESD 112, communities can identify challenges early and provide the wraparound services students need to stay engaged in their education.

For more information about ESD 112’s Attendance and Reengagement Program or to learn how we can support your district’s attendance initiatives, please contact Claire Pearson-Walker, Attendance & Reengagement Manager, at claire.pearsonwalker@esd112.org.