The Sevier County School System is focusing on improving student attendance across our district. Research shows student attendance in school is linked to a child's academic success, and we cannot emphasize enough the importance of attending school. The US Department of Education states, "Students who are chronically absent- meaning they miss at least 15 days of school in a year- are at serious risk of falling behind in school" (CITE). Per the Every Student Succeeds Act, many states are required to report chronic absenteeism data annually. Here is what we know: 

• "About 1 in 6 students miss 15 or more days of school" (US Department of Education, n.d.).
• "In high school, about 1 in 5 students are chronically absent" ( US Department of Education, n.d.).
• In 2015-2016 Sevier County had 22% of students who were chronically absent (US Department of Education, n.d.).
• "Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back" (Attendance Works, n.d.).
• "By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school" ( Attendance Works, n.d.).
• "Research shows that missing 10 percent of school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student's academic performance" (Attendance Works, n.d.).
• "When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances of graduating" ( Attendance Works, n.d.).

RESOURCES

• Attendance Works
• USDOE Chronic Absenteeism Absenteeism
• Why Is School Attendance Important