Millions of U.S. Students Chronically Absent

Chronic Absenteeism

Nearly 7.5 million students (K – 12th grade) are chronically absent every school year – missing enough school to put them at severe risk of dropping out or failing to graduate.

Chronic absenteeism, which is defined as missing at least 10 percent of school days in a given year, or about 18 days, affects the educational outcomes of millions of students.

In order to inspire parents of 5th through 8th graders to recognize the crucial role regular attendance, even in the early years, plays in high school graduation, the U.S. Army and the Ad Council are unveiling a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) created pro bono by advertising agency Publicis Kaplan Thaler.

Every absence, in any grade – excused or not – can impact a child’s academic achievement. As early as 6th grade, missing 18 or more days of school in a year puts a child’s high school graduation at-risk.

Missing just two days every month of the school year can allow a child to fall behind, increasing the likelihood of dropping out.

Announced today, Nov. 9, the new English and Spanish-language PSAs ask parents to look at the influence they have over their children’s attendance reminding them that every day missed, excused or not, even in middle school, puts their kids’ graduation at risk.

Another, community-targeted execution beautifully illustrates the staggering fact that 7,000 high school students drop out every school day by showing thousands of graduation caps falling from the sky.

All audiences are directed to the campaign website BoostUp.org to find out how to help the students in their communities succeed and graduate.