School Engagement & Attendance

Regular school attendance is a critical part of your child’s success. Every student deserves access to an equitable education that helps them build a strong future. When children attend school consistently, they are more likely to perform better academically, build positive relationships with their peers, and develop essential social skills.

Schools also provide a sense of community and structure that supports your child’s growth. The routine of attending school helps students develop organizational skills and prepares them for the responsibilities of life after graduation, whether that means college, a career, or other opportunities.

Clinton County Schools are committed to working together to support students and families across the county. By focusing on good attendance, we can help ensure every child has the chance to thrive. Thank you for partnering with us to make education a priority—your involvement makes all the difference!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between absenteeism vs truancy?

Chronic Absenteeism: This occurs when a student attends 90% or fewer of the scheduled school days. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of enrolled school days in a year, for any reason, including excused absences. This equates to as few as two days missed per month.

Truancy: This refers specifically to a student having ten or more unexcused absences in a school year. Truancy involves absences “willfully and repeatedly” not authorized by a parent or guardian, such as when a student skips school without permission. If interventions to address truancy fail, it may lead to legal consequences for the parent/guardian or the student, depending on the student's age and attendance history.

Truancy is different than chronically absent

Attendance Toolkit

Attendance Policies

Key Information

The Attendance Workgroup collaborated to review and update the Clinton County Attendance/Truancy Policy Guidelines in 2024/2025, and reviewed current attendance coding across each district. We found that over 70 unique attendance codes were used, posing a significant challenge to understanding trends. The Attendance Workgroup developed a set of Recommended Attendance Codes to provide consistency across the county; while these are not required, they are encouraged. Regular review of policies and procedures helps to ensure alignment to best practices and legal requirements, as well as quality data for analysis and action planning.

Materials & Resources

Attendance Workgroup Recommended Attendance Codes

Clinton County RESA: Truancy Policy Guidelines

Clinton County RESA: Truancy Flowchart

Clinton County RESA: Attendance Referral Form

In Class Is Where It's At!

Key Information

"In Class Is Where It's At!" was adopted by the County-wide Attendance Workgroup and will be used to support broad communication and recognition of the importance of regular attendance. Here is an overview- Campaign Plan and Messaging.

A strong attendance campaign can inspire a school-wide commitment to regular attendance and help build a culture where students and families understand the importance of showing up every day. Effective campaigns use clear messaging, engaging activities, and ongoing communication to reinforce the value of attendance while addressing common barriers. This section of the toolkit provides practical guidance on designing, launching, and maintaining an attendance campaign that fosters enthusiasm, accountability, and long-term success. By working together, school staff can create a positive and supportive environment that encourages students to be present, engaged, and ready to learn.

Materials & Resources

Attendance Work Group Canva Sharing Links

Student Lessons

Key Information

Helping students understand the value of regular attendance is essential to building lifelong habits of responsibility and engagement. When students recognize how showing up each day supports their learning, relationships, and future opportunities, they are more likely to take ownership of their attendance. This section of the toolkit provides age-appropriate strategies, lessons, and activities to help educators communicate the importance of attendance in a way that resonates with students. By making attendance a shared priority, we can empower students to make positive choices that contribute to their success in school and beyond. Schools may find success in linking teaching about attendance with Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS).

Materials & Resources

Formal Lesson Resources

Schedule for Lessons (Who/When)

Determine when lessons will be taught and who will create the lessons and materials, ensuring effective lesson design to support student engagement. Lessons should occur throughout the year, with emphasis at the beginning of year, as well as before and after breaks, and any other time data suggest a need. Opportunities to teach about attendance may include:

Student Lessons (seminar, homeroom, advisory, class rotation from Counselor/SSW/etc)
Student Handbook Review for Student Opening Day/Transfer
Attendance awareness assembly(s) / Celebrations

Example Lesson Templates & Resources (What)

Attendance Matters. This lesson provides an overall review of the importance of attendance, including all absences matter (whether excused or unexcused), review of school policy, identifies factors within our control to support attendance, what to do when you miss school, and when to stay home due to illness.
Why Attendance Matters. This lesson defines terms used to describe tiers of attendance, reviews Michigan law, school policy, truancy process, and outcomes of regular attendance vs. absenteeism.
Attendance Lesson Part 1- Policy This lesson provides structure to teach the district/school policy on absences and tardies, including scenarios.
Attendance Lesson Part 2- Attendance matters. This lesson provides research on the impact of absenteeism with opportunities for student response and student review of their own attendance record within the student information system.
Attendance Lesson Part 3- Prevention & Assistance. This lesson reviews ways to stay healthy, plan to attend school, and ways to seek support following an absence.
Attendance Escape Room- The link between graduation & attendance. Students are asked to complete four tasks exploring research around attendance and post-high school success. Low prep & high engagement.
Attendance Tri-fold. This PDF provides information on why attendance matters, reasons to miss school vs. not, and a checklist for healthy habits.
Attendance Tracker & Goal Setting. This PDF provides a tracking and goal-setting sheet that individual students can use.
Grades & Attendance Check. This doc can be copied and edited to match your school's number of classes. It provides a space for students to list their classes and check their current grades and absences by class.
Activity: Washing the Elephant. This activity is designed to show the importance of regular attendance with the Key Point: Being present when information is delivered is critical. It requires approximately 30 minutes.
Attendance Lesson Resources from Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). This link connects to MPS Social Academic Instructional Group (SAIG) Curriculum. Scroll down to either "Elementary Attendance as a Responsible Behavior Lesson" or "High School Lessons"--> "Attendance Lessons". These lessons are provided in document format.

Attendance Awareness/Celebration

Videos:

Why school attendance matters and how to improve it! What many don’t know.

Informally Emphasize Attendance

Have staff greet students when they return (“I’m so glad you are back”, “Is everything OK?”)
Staff phone call if student has been absent for more than one day
Encourage peers to check on the student who is absent

Parent/Guardian Resources

Welcome to our Parent Resource Page! We’re here to support you and your child’s attendance. Ensuring your child attends school regularly is crucial for their success. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, which in a typical year is at least 18 days, can lead to academic and social difficulties. Below you'll find tips and resources to help your child get to school every day. Our hope is to equip you with the tools and knowledge to support your child's consistent attendance and overall well-being.

Parent Resources

General Resouces

Michigan 2-1-1 - United Way of Michigan is an easy way to connect for help of all kinds
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services “MI Bridges” - Provides information on housing & shelter, food, work and school & family supports

Truancy Support

The Truant Officer has the power of a Deputy Sheriff within the School District while performing official duties and pursues cases of non-attendance which are reported to him by the proper authority.

Michael (Brad) Carey is the Truant Officer for the Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA).

Please feel free to download and print the following documents as needed:

Attendance Referral Form

Truancy Policy Guidelines

Michigan Truancy Laws