There is no better time than the beginning of the school year to encourage students to be in school on time, every day.  Last September, there were 604,312 absences in our state.  For the entire 2013-2014 school year, there were 7,024,152 absences, equal to more than 49 million hours of missed instruction and learning.

According to State Superintendent, Dr. Tommy Bice, poor attendance can start as early as kindergarten and continue to affect achievement through high school.  Chronic absenteeism is missing 10% (18 to 20 days) or more of school for any reason.  Research indicates that attendance is a major indicator for students eventually dropping out of school.

Therefore, September has been proclaimed “Alabama Attendance Awareness Month” in support of a national campaign to increase understanding of educators, parents, students, and community partners of the major impact school attendance has on the successful rates, bot academically and behaviorally, or our students.

“By promoting ‘Alabama Attendance Awareness Month’ students and parents can become more aware of the crucial need to be at school, on time, every day,” wrote Dr. Bice in a memo to promote the event.