Overview

Paying attention to attendance and engagement is as essential this year as ever before!

Given the unique challenges created from COVID-19, regular and ongoing communications and strong relationships are vital.  Schools, families and communities working together will create welcoming school environments, strong family and school relations, successful student outcomes and strong student attendance that ensures ALL students benefit from the learning opportunities offered.

The most important first steps are prevention and monitoring student attendance early and often. On a regular basis, school teams should review and monitor student attendance data for causes and barriers followed by implementing and monitoring a multi-tier system of support to encourage student attendance and a welcoming climate where all students feel a part of the school community.  

Stay up-to-date

Keep current on recent communications from the State Department of Education to leaders in school districts by visiting the Superintendent's Digest.  Items from the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, division directors, and others are posted here as they are sent.

Learn more about CSDE's Peer Learning Opportunities and sign-up for the attendance listservs on the Peer Learning Opportunities webpage. 

Supporting Student Attendance in 2021-22.

• Mental Health Wellness Days Guidance (January 24, 2022)
• Reducing Chronic Absence in Connecticut Schools: A Prevention and Intervention Guide for Schools and Districts
• Addendum 14: Supporting Student Attendance and Engagement during Hybrid or Remote Learning (September 21, 2020)
• Talk Tuesdays (meeting archive)
• Student Attendance & Engagement Community of Practice (Held on the 3rd Thursday of each month) Webpage coming soon!

Monthly Tracking of Student Attendance in 2021-22

During the 2021-22 school year, students who may be learning remotely in limited/individualized circumstances as outlined in CSDE’s remote learning guidance can be reported as being “in attendance." Districts should use the same four-part framework to track attendance for those specific students on their remote learning days.

• Tracking Daily Attendance on Remote Days in 2021-22 (for students learning remotely in limited/individualized circumstances)
• EdSight Data Portal
  • Download 2021-22 Monthly Attendance and Chronic Absence Data Reports 
• Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Remote Learning (ct.gov)
• CSDE Guidance Regarding the Future of Remote Learning in Connecticut Schools
• 2021-22 PSIS Reference Guide

• See Appendix F – Guidelines for Reporting Student Attendance in the Public School Information System (PSIS), page 50
  See Appendix L – Reporting Information about Students who are Disengaged, page 59

Legislative Update: Mental Health Wellness Days

Beginning school year 2021-22 and going forward, local and regional boards of education must provide students enrolled in kindergarten through Grade 12 the opportunity to be absent from school for up to two mental health wellness days during the school year. The two mental health wellness days may not be taken consecutively. This is in accordance with Section 19 of Public Act 21-46, An Act Concerning Social Equity and the Health, Safety and Education of Children.  

Attendance Awareness Campaign

The Connecticut Attendance Awareness Campaign provides districts, schools, and community partners with resources and artwork where entities can add their own logo to the design work. The campaign's webpage has printable and downloadable resources for schools and districts, including posters, coloring pages, banners, and handouts for parents and others. All of the materials are in English and Spanish. On this site, you will also find information on how to connect to the national Attendance Works Awareness Campaign.