The Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel have designated Tuesday, September 9th as High Attendance Day across the state to highlight the importance of students being in school every day.
On this day, Kentucky’s public elementary, middle, and high schools may compete in small-school or large-school categories. The school in each category with the highest percentage of attendance will receive a minimum $500 award and certificates for regional winners.
“High Attendance Day is a reminder that regular attendance is essential to success in school,” said Kasey Farmer Wolfe, Director of Student Services. “We encourage all students to attend school each day. Our goal for High Attendance Day is 100% attendance. Research shows that attendance is an important factor in student achievement.”
Research also shows that absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the year. Half of the students who miss two to four days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.
More Resources
Attendance Works: https://awareness.attendanceworks.org/
KDE Attendance Matters: https://www.education.ky.gov/school/Pages/Chronic-Absenteeism.aspx
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) recently launched a new statewide campaign — “You Belong! Attendance Matters” — to raise awareness about the importance of regular school attendance. Families, educators, and community members can find resources on when to keep a child home due to illness, steps communities can take, and strategies to support consistent attendance.