How many days has your child been absent from school over the past four weeks? Was it just one sick day or two? What about the day they left early for the dentist? Or the days you took off to extend a vacation? It can be hard to keep track.

Missing a day here or there may not seem like a problem. But school absences add up quickly. Missing two days a month—excused or unexcused—can add up to a child being considered chronically absent.

Chronic absenteeism means missing too much school—for any reason, excused or unexcused. Experts and a growing number of states define chronic absenteeism as missing 10% (or around 18 days) during a school year.

While chronic absenteeism measures total absences (excused and unexcused), truancy measures only unexcused absences. The number of unexcused absences it takes for a student to be considered a "truant" differs by state.

Too many absences are serious not only for students, but also for parents. Schools handle minor truancy with warning letters, parent-teacher conferences and other means. However, in some states, parents can be fined when their kids miss too much school.

As of the 2022-23 school year, over a quarter of U.S. students in kindergarten through 12th grade missed a month or more of the school year. This is nearly double the number of students who were chronically absent before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Missing just two days a month of school―for any reason—can make life harder. Children who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are less likely to read on grade level by the third grade.

For older students, chronic absenteeism is strongly associated with school failure―even more so than low grades or test scores. When absences add up, these students are more likely to be suspended and drop out of high school.

When a child misses school, they miss out on more than just a good education. Their health and well-being may be impacted as well.

Beyond academics, school provides a major source of nutritious food for students. School is where many students get special services like physical or occupational therapy, behavioral health therapy and more.

Regular school attendance also provides an engaging environment. This can help young people build relationships with peers and adults and gain a deeper sense of community and purpose.

The good news is that showing up at school has powerful, positive effects on children.

Regular attendance at school does more than help your child learn. It also boosts student development and overall health. That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages families to reduce unnecessary absences, learn about attendance policies where you live and prioritize getting kids to school on time, every day.

Here are a few tips families can use to make sure children are making the most of their education:

--Set attendance goals with your child and track their progress on a calendar. Try offering small rewards for not missing any school, such as a later bedtime on weekends.

--Help your child get a good night's sleep. A lack of sleep is associated with lower school achievement starting in middle school. Not getting enough sleep is also linked with missed school and tardiness. Most younger children need 10-12 hours per night and adolescents (13-18 years of age) need 8-10 hours per night.

--Prep the night before to streamline your morning. Have your child lay out their clothes before going to bed. Have backpacks and lunches packed. Develop backup plans for getting to school in case something comes up, like a missed bus or an early meeting.

--Schedule extended trips during school breaks. This helps your child stay caught up in school learning. It also sets the expectation for your child to be in school during the school year.

--When possible, try to schedule medical appointments before or after school hours.

--Don't keep your child at home unless they are truly sick. Reasons to keep your child home from school include a fever greater than 100.4 degrees F, vomiting, diarrhea, a hacking cough, toothache or other infectious illnesses.

--If your child has a chronic health issue such as asthma, allergies or seizures, talk with your pediatrician about developing a school action plan. Meet with and get to know the nurse at your child's school.

--Talk with your child about the reasons why they do not want to go to school. School-related anxiety can lead to school avoidance. Talk to your child about their physical and emotional symptoms. Try to get them to talk about any emotional struggles they may have with issues like bullying, fear of failure or actual physical harm. If you are concerned about your child's mental health, talk with your pediatrician, your child's teacher or a school counselor.

--Follow the rules. Be sure you know what your school's requirements are for when your child will be absent or late. If we want our children to follow rules, we must lead by example.

--Look for activities at school that match your child's interests. Special activities like this can help kids connect with school and keep them motivated to attend.

____

About Dr. Lieberman

Emily Lieberman, MD FAAP is a general pediatrician in the Chicagoland area. She is also the founder and Executive Director of OnCall4kids.

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.