Supporting Family Engagement and Attendance
Family engagement should be a priority for schools aiming to improve attendance outcomes, as the two are closely linked. Strong partnerships between schools and families build trust, improve communication, and remove barriers to attendance, ultimately supporting consistent participation and academic success.
Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly perform better in critical areas such as reading proficiency, overall academic achievement, and high school graduation rates.
Ohio has committed to reducing its statewide chronic absence rate by 50% by the end of the 2028-2029 school year. This work requires collaboration among schools, educators, families, communities, and policymakers. Resources from the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network and Attendance Works can help schools connect with others and learn effective strategies to improve attendance. Additional resources are available on the Department’s School and District Support webpage.
Ohio law defines chronic absence as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason. To more effectively address this urgent issue, state law now focuses on supporting early intervention for students at risk of becoming chronically absent. Schools and districts can learn more about this shift in this guidance from the Department.
Last Modified: 11/28/2025 12:56:01 PM