Giving Compass' Take:

· According to the most recent data, about 8 million public school students were considered chronically absent in the 2015-2016 school year. Here, Allie Gross at Education Dive discusses ESSA's focus on chronic absenteeism, how states are measuring this data, and the effects it has on academic outcome.

· What is the best way schools can approach chronic absenteeism and reduce these numbers? What are some factors contributing to chronic absenteeism?

· Learn more about ESSA, chronic absenteeism, and discipline. 

Under ESSA, many states define "chronic absenteeism" as missing 18 days in a 180-day school year, as noted by District Administration. The greater focus on chronic absenteeism is leading districts across the country to try all sorts of methods to get kids to school, ranging from mailing parents informational letters to offering counseling and support services.

Among specific examples: Meriden Public Schools in Connecticut has administrators and specialists meeting weekly and monitoring attendance, with teams reaching out when a student has missed three days, or immediately if the student is someone who has an issue with chronic absenteeism. At Santa Fe Public Schools in New Mexico, a social worker sometimes gives out free doughnuts to students who arrive before the morning bell, while Alabama's Montgomery Public Schools teamed up with the local prosecutor's office to hire social workers who can work with families. Additionally, when students are truant, their families receive a notice from the prosecutor’s office to attend an "early-warning meeting" at the courthouse.

Read the full article about chronic absenteeism by Allie Gross at Education Dive.