New Jersey Department of Education

Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Research shows that a positive school climate and culture can help prevent chronic absenteeism and foster regular student attendance. Students who feel safe, supported, and engaged are more likely to attend school consistently.  Regular attendance is crucial to bolstering student achievement.

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) recognizes the tremendous efforts of school communities working tirelessly to promote students’ regular school attendance. To help schools in these continued efforts, the NJDOE is providing school communities with a continuum of resources designed to address high rates of “chronic absenteeism”. The resources highlighted on this page to address chronic absenteeism are closely linked to fostering safe and inclusive learning environments that encourage consistent attendance.

This webpage offers a collection of resources designed to assist local educational agencies in addressing chronic absenteeism by fostering safe and inclusive learning environments that encourage consistent attendance.

Toolkit and Campaign Resources

Guidance
One-Pagers

Letter Templates
Posters and Flyers

Posters and Flyers

The image is a promotional graphic for "Attendance Awareness." The image features two adults and two young children working at a table. The text on the image reads: • "ATTENDANCE AWARENESS" • Take Action to Help Eliminate Chronic Absenteeism • Make getting to school on time every day a high priority in your family. The design features the State of New Jersey Department of Education logo at the top left. The layout utilizes navy blue, light gray, and yellow to draw attention to the key messages, with a focus on the importance of regular school attendance.

Getting to School On Time

The image is a promotional graphic for "Attendance Awareness." The image features two adults and two young children working at a table. The text on the image reads: • "ATTENDANCE AWARENESS" • Take Action to Help Eliminate Chronic Absenteeism • Talk with your child about the importance of school attendance from an early age. The design features the State of New Jersey Department of Education logo at the top left. The layout utilizes navy blue, light gray, and yellow to draw attention to the key messages, with a focus on the importance of regular school attendance.

Importance of Attendance

Create a Safe Space

Back-Up Plan

The image is a promotional graphic for "Attendance Awareness." The image features a female adult and one male teen and a female The text on the image reads: • "ATTENDANCE AWARENESS" • Take Action to Help Eliminate Chronic Absenteeism • Have a back-up plan for getting your child to school when there are difficulties with transportation, family illness, or other challenges. The design features the State of New Jersey Department of Education logo at the top left. The layout utilizes navy blue, light gray, and yellow to draw attention to the key messages, with a focus on the importance of regular school attendance.

Schedule Appointments

Regularly Check Attendance

Support and Services

The image is a promotional graphic for "Attendance Awareness" featuring a group of diverse young children smiling and standing close together, with their backpacks on. The graphic includes the following text: Top Left: The seal of the State of New Jersey Department of Education. Middle Left: The title "ATTENDANCE AWARENESS" in bold blue text. Bottom Left: The message "ATTENDANCE IS AN INVESTMENT" in bold yellow text, followed by "Each moment spent in school is an investment in your future." in smaller yellow text. The design features a diagonal split between the text and the photo of the children, with the text on a blue background.

Attendance is an Investment

The image is a promotional graphic for "Attendance Awareness" featuring a smiling young girl wearing a yellow shirt and a pink backpack. The graphic includes the following text: Top Left: The seal of the State of New Jersey Department of Education. Middle Left: The title "ATTENDANCE AWARENESS" in bold blue text. Bottom Left: The message "ATTENDANCE BUILDS DISCIPLINE" in bold yellow text, followed by "Regular attendance builds discipline and responsibility, essential traits for success in any endeavor." in smaller yellow text. The design features a diagonal split between the text and the photo of the girl, with the text on a blue background.

Attendance Builds Discipline

The image is a promotional graphic for "Attendance Awareness" featuring a group of children gathered around a globe, with one child pointing at it while others look on attentively. The graphic includes the following text: Top Left: The seal of the State of New Jersey Department of Education. Middle Left: The title "ATTENDANCE AWARENESS" in bold blue text. Bottom Left: The message "ATTENDANCE MATTERS" in bold yellow text, followed by "Your attendance is an important part of your educational journey." in smaller yellow text. The design features a diagonal split between the text and the photo of the children, with the text on a blue background.

Attendance Matters

The image is a "Attendance Awareness" promotional graphic showing three children focused on a globe. One child is pointing to a location while the others observe. The graphic contains the following text: Top Left: The seal of the State of New Jersey Department of Education. Middle Left: "ATTENDANCE AWARENESS" in bold blue text. Bottom Left: "ATTENDANCE MATTERS" in bold yellow text, followed by "Your attendance is an important part of your educational journey." in smaller yellow text. The design splits diagonally, with the text on a blue background on the left and the image of the children on the right.

Attendance Builds Stamina

Attendance Promotes Equity

Attendance is Important

Motivating Students

Positive and Engaging

Achieving Goals

Ignite Passion

Value of Education

Absences Add Up

Attendance Awareness

Stop Chronic Absenteeism

School is Better When We Are All Together

The circle icon from the Conditions for Learning logo that highlights chronic absenteeism

Understanding and addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism is essential. Through a collaborative effort, local educational agencies can decrease chronic absenteeism and increase opportunities to support students to reach their full potential.

To assist schools and districts in preventing and addressing chronic absenteeism, the New Jersey Department of Education provides guidance and resources. Data-Based Decision Making for Addressing Chronic Absenteeism is a resource that was developed to provide districts with guidance on responding to chronic absenteeism as well as encouraging regular school attendance. The guidance incorporates New Jersey specific rules, regulations, and a span of available resources. Schools and districts can refer to this resource to develop research-based action plans (PDF/Word) that include strategies that specifically target the barriers contributing to their students’ absences. This resource provides a step-by-step guide that begins with identifying key district members, collecting and analyzing actionable data, and aids districts in ultimately installing and operating a tiered model to address student absenteeism as well as encourage regular attendance.

A positive school climate and culture play a pivotal role in preventing chronic absenteeism and fostering regular student attendance. When students feel safe, supported, and engaged, they are more likely to attend school consistently. Creating an environment where students feel a sense of belonging and respect encourages their active participation and investment in their education. By prioritizing a positive school environment, we provide the foundation for a supportive community that not only draws students into the classroom but also inspires them to excel. Below are resources local educational agencies can explore to strengthen their school climate and culture systems.

 The part of the logo that highlights climate and culture which includes a circle and the NJ SCI icon in the middle.

The part of the logo that highlights New Jersey Tiered Systems of Support which includes the a red circle and the tiered system triangle and logo in the middle.

The New Jersey Tiered System of Supports is a framework that aids districts in allocating their resources efficiently and most effectively using data-informed processes to provide strategies and interventions that support all students in achieving success. NJTSS provides a structured framework to identify and address students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs at all levels. Through early identification and targeted interventions, NJTSS ensures that students receive the appropriate support they need to overcome barriers to attendance. Implementing NJTSS with fidelity creates a supportive school environment that strengthens the connection between schools and families, emphasizing the importance of every student's attendance and involvement. Strengthening the greater school community partnerships promises better attendance and greater success for all students. The resources below will assist local educational agencies to establish and operate local tiered systems of support:

School districts can leverage Federal Funds to address chronic absenteeism and promote regular attendance by investing in comprehensive support systems that identify and address the root causes of absenteeism. This can include funding for mental health services, transportation solutions, and family engagement programs that bridge the gap between home and school. Additionally, districts can allocate resources towards training staff on early intervention strategies and creating positive school climates that encourage regular attendance. The NJDOE’s resources walk users through a step-by-step process for using emergency American Rescue Plan dollars before the grant period ends fall 2024, and additional tools explain how additional Federal funds can be strategically combined to sustain successful programs and student supports. 

 The maximizing federal funds section of the logo that highlights the ESSER initiative logo inside of a blue circle.

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