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Students attend school more consistently when they feel connected to trusted adults and peers. Districts that ensure every student has meaningful relationships and strong support networks see improved attendance stability.
1 in 5 students is chronically absent nationwide.
Chronic absenteeism is one of the strongest predictors of course failure, credit loss, and graduation risk.
The NDPC Attendance Improvement Institute helps
district teams analyze data, identify root causes,
and build a strategy to improve attendance.
The Attendance Improvement Institute is delivered by the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC), a division of the Successful Practices Network (SPN), which has supported schools and districts for nearly four decades through research-based strategies to improve student outcomes.
The Attendance Improvement Institute is an intensive professional learning experience designed for district and school attendance teams.
Unlike traditional workshops, this institute focuses on building a district-specific attendance improvement strategy using your own data, context, and goals.
During the institute, NDPC specialists guide your team through a structured process to:
Participants examine district and school attendance patterns to understand where chronic absenteeism is most prevalent. Teams review trends across grade levels, student groups, and schools to identify patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed.
District teams move beyond surface-level explanations to identify the underlying causes of absenteeism. These may include engagement gaps, transportation challenges, school climate issues, family barriers, or instructional disconnects that impact student motivation to attend.
Participants learn how to improve the early identification of students at risk of chronic absenteeism. Teams explore how attendance data can be integrated with MTSS frameworks, early warning indicators, and student support systems to intervene earlier.
The institute connects attendance improvement with instructional relevance and student engagement. District teams explore strategies that strengthen student connection to school through meaningful relationships, engaging learning experiences, and supportive school environments.
By the end of the institute, each district team develops a clear attendance improvement roadmap. This includes defined goals, measurable benchmarks, responsible leaders, and a structured implementation timeline to guide districtwide efforts.
Teams learn how to track attendance improvement over time using consistent metrics and evaluation practices. District leaders leave with tools to monitor progress, adjust strategies, and sustain attendance improvements across schools.
Specific and measurable objectives tied to chronic absenteeism reduction.
Research-based approaches tailored to your district’s needs.
Defined timelines, responsible teams, and implementation steps.
Processes for identifying and supporting at-risk students sooner.
Evaluation tools to track attendance improvements over time.
Students attend school more consistently when they feel connected to trusted adults and peers. Districts that ensure every student has meaningful relationships and strong support networks see improved attendance stability.
Clubs, athletics, and high-interest programs create additional reasons for students to attend school. Expanding inclusive opportunities and removing participation barriers strengthens belonging and engagement.
Instruction that is engaging, relevant, and connected to student goals increases persistence and daily attendance. When learning feels meaningful, students are far more likely to show up consistently.
Districts typically sends a team of 3-4 individuals dedicated to improving school attendance. Teams should include members with decision-making authority, instructional expertise, and direct knowledge of student and family needs.
The Attendance Improvement Institute is designed as a structured working session for district teams. Participants work through a guided process that includes:
Understanding patterns across schools, grades, and student groups.
Determining the underlying factors driving absenteeism.
Selecting research-informed practices that match district needs.
Strengthening leadership alignment, early warning systems, and tiered supports.
Building a detailed district plan with clear timelines and responsibilities.
Districts that address chronic absenteeism successfully treat attendance as a graduation strategy, not a compliance task.
The Attendance Improvement Institute helps districts:
Bring an Attendance Improvement Institute to Your District
Institutes can be hosted in several ways depending on district needs:
• For a single district
• For multiple districts within a region
• In partnership with state education agencies
• Through educational service agencies or consortia
Each institute is customized to the needs and data of participating districts.
If chronic absenteeism is affecting your district, the Attendance Improvement Institute can help your leadership team move from reacting to attendance problems to building a sustainable attendance system.
Partner with the National Dropout Prevention Center to develop a clear, measurable strategy for improving attendance and strengthening graduation outcomes.
If you would like to begin discussing how the Attendance Improvement Institute could support your district, submit the form or contact us using the phone or email listed below.