Alarming increases in chronic absence across the nation, particularly in kindergarten, reveal the urgent need to re-establish routines of daily attendance among our youngest learners.  Students chronically absent in preschool and kindergarten are more likely to be chronically absent in later grades and much less likely to read and count proficiently by the end of third grade. Equally important, chronic early absence is associated with declines in educational engagement, social-emotional development, and executive functioning. Economically challenged students suffer the most, as they typically have less access to resources that would help them make up for the lost opportunities to learn in classrooms.  Starting the year with a regular routine of attendance helps young children and their families become less anxious about school, connect to peers as well as teachers, access needed resources and engage in learning.

Join us on January 2, 2024, from 3–4:30 p.m. ET, for a special holiday rebroadcast session to hear how schools, districts, community partners and cities can work together with families to overcome attendance barriers and make attendance a top priority and strategy for laying the foundation for early school success. We will showcase the work of practitioners in New York City; Marshalltown, Iowa; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as resources available from Attendance Works and the National League of Cities. Getting young children to school on a regular basis will require deep partnerships with families and an all-hands-on-deck approach.

Attendees will hear from:

• Lysandra Agosto, MBA, Director of Compliance and ERSEA, Early Childhood Division, Children’s Aid Society, New York City
• Benjamin Barlow, Director of Attendance Supports, Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico
• Anel Garza, Principal, Woodbury Elementary, Marshalltown Community School District, Iowa
• Sandra Romero, Community School Director, Public School 211, Children’s Aid Society, New York City
• Monica Rossi, MSW, Early Childhood Division Health Coordinator, Children’s Aid Society, New York City
• Brandis Stockman, Program Manager, Education & Expanded Learning, National League of Cities
• Hedy Chang, Executive Director, Attendance Works, Moderator