Chronic Absenteeism

To increase attendance rates, Governor Glenn Youngkin launched the ALL IN VA plan in 2023. The comprehensive plan included convening a Chronic Absenteeism Task Force involving educators, transportation and health experts, community partners, and families to quickly develop recommendations for school divisions to reduce chronic absenteeism.

The Chronic Absenteeism Task Force created a discussion guide to support schools in navigating barriers related to family engagement.

The Chronic Absenteeism Task Force created a discussion guide to support schools in navigating barriers related to transportation.

This ActionKit guides schools through a four-step process to improve their attendance, beginning with attendance team development and expansion. Schools then use data to better understand attendance challenges and set goals, followed by planning and implementing evidence-based practices for improving attendance. Lastly, schools reflect on their progress, adjust as needed, and celebrate good and improved attendance.

Attendance Works is a leading attendance organization that collaborates with schools, districts, states, communities, and organizations to ensure that everyone recognizes that chronic absenteeism is a serious issue that can be addressed using a positive, problem-solving approach.

This six-part module series supports schools to better address chronic absenteeism using data, positive engagement, and strategic partnerships.

To further support attendance improvement for Virginia’s schools, the Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety will facilitate a four-part webinar series dedicated to the Superintendent’s “ActionKit” for Improving Attendance. All school leaders and division leaders are invited to attend, and recordings will be sent to those who cannot attend live.

The Second Annual VDOE Attendance Symposium will be held in February 2025. Division superintendents will be invited to register or send an attendance division leader. Symposium topics will include critical areas identified by the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force for improving attendance, information and resources for upgrading division-level attendance practices, division leaders sharing what is currently working in their divisions, and evidence-based practices for improving attendance.

This webpage contains webinars and resources for evidence-based practices to help students attend every day, be engaged in school, and succeed academically. Attendance teams can review recorded webinars together on a variety of topics based on their needs, including chronic absenteeism, early warning systems, student supports, and mentoring.

The Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety offers webinars and trainings to support schools in decreasing chronic absenteeism by improving student behavior and mental health. To learn more about these offerings, please contact the Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety.

Schools in need of support for chronic absenteeism were invited to register for one of four collaborative learning cohorts; 800 educators throughout Virginia participated. Each cohort participated in a three-part e-learning series with Attendance Works and VDOE. For the first three cohorts, 100 school principals from schools with the highest chronic absenteeism rates were invited to participate, and each principal invited an attendance team member. The first and second cohorts participated an in-person training where educators could network and collaborate. Supplemental virtual webinars showcasing best practices and ideas for planning over the summer were also conducted. Topics included attendance teams, root cause analysis, data tracking, whole staff approach, and family engagement. The most recent cohort was not only aimed at principals, but at school personnel who work with students with disabilities, such as special education directors, teachers, school social workers, and school psychologists.

Technical assistance is provided to schools as needed by VDOE staff.

Schools in need of intensive support for chronic absenteeism were selected for a priority invitation to participate in one of four collaborative learning cohorts. Each cohort participated in a three-part e-learning series with Attendance Works and VDOE. For the first three cohorts, 100 school principals from schools with the highest chronic absenteeism rates were invited to participate, and each principal invited an attendance team member. The first and second cohorts participated an in-person training where educators could network and collaborate. Supplemental virtual webinars showcasing best practices and ideas for planning over the summer were also conducted. Topics included attendance teams, root cause analysis, data tracking, whole staff approach, and family engagement. The most recent cohort was not only aimed at principals, but at school personnel who work with students with disabilities, such as special education directors, teachers, school social workers, and school psychologists.

Simultaneously, the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force was put together as a key pillar of the comprehensive ALL IN VA plan to accelerate the learning loss recovery by addressing Attendance, Literacy and Learning. The Task Force, in response to a near doubling of chronic absenteeism in Virginia classrooms resulting from extended pandemic closure of schools, developed resources and distributed action plans for school divisions to address the record-high student absenteeism rates across the Commonwealth.

The VDOE developed resources in order to collaborate with schools and families to address chronic absenteeism efforts.

The Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety offers webinars and trainings to support schools in decreasing chronic absenteeism by improving student behavior and mental health. Schools in need of intensive support will be given priority to these offerings; please contact the Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety.

Technical assistance is provided to schools as needed by VDOE staff.