Student Attendance Support and Truancy Prevention

Working Together to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

About this Work

Strengthening Attendance Systems
The District Point of Contact supports schools in building effective and consistent attendance practices by guiding teams through the CART process, coaching them through root-cause analysis, and ensuring the right tiered interventions are used to address barriers early.

State-Aligned & Student-Focused
This work is aligned with SB123 and ensures accurate documentation, appropriate follow-up, and consistent procedures across the district. These efforts support student engagement, reduce chronic absenteeism, and create pathways for academic success.

How Schools are Supported

CART implementation coaching
Tiered intervention planning
SB123 guidance & compliance support
Professional learning for school teams
Attendance data interpretation & application
One-on-one consultation for complex cases
Collaboration with APS departments & community partners

How Schools Support Students and Families

Attendance Initiatives

District Monthly Attendance Campaign:
Keeping students engaged in their education is a key element of the whole-child approach. Research shows that students with strong attendance are more connected to their school community. The district’s monthly attendance themes are designed to help schools build a culture and climate that encourages daily attendance.

National Attendance Awareness Month:
Each September, the district hosts a poster contest to celebrate Attendance Awareness Month. Students in grades Kindergarten–12 can participate by creating artwork that reflects the annual theme.

School-Based Attendance Initiatives:

School-based attendance initiatives are designed to build a positive culture of showing up every day, strengthen student connections to school, and address attendance concerns early through consistent, creative, and student-centered supports.

Examples of School-Based Initiatives:
• Perfect Attendance or Most Improved Recognition: Celebrating students who show consistent growth or outstanding attendance.
• Classroom Challenges: Friendly competitions between classes or grade levels.
• Daily Recognition: Announcements, shout-outs, or spotlight boards celebrating good attendance.
• Parent Engagement Activities: Workshops, newsletters, or attendance-focused family events.
• Attendance Incentive Days: Themed days, raffles, or small rewards tied to consistent attendance.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for Attendance

The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is used to promote strong attendance and respond when concerns arise:

Tier 1 – Schoolwide Prevention Supports
Universal practices for all students that build a positive culture of showing up every day.
Tier 2 – CART + Early Targeted Supports
Additional help for students who begin to miss school, coordinated through the Chronic Absence Review Team (CART).
Tier 3 – Intensive Supports
Individualized interventions when students are referred to the school social worker for significant or ongoing attendance concerns.

Tier 1: School-Wide Prevention Supports

Goal: Build a positive school culture, through strong relationships, routines, and schoolwide support, where daily attendance is noticed, supported, and celebrated for all students.

Daily routines include warm greetings and quick check-ins after absences.
Teachers make personal calls or texts when a student is absent.
Teachers are the first line of defense for absences.
These contacts tell students and families, “You were missed today.”
Parents are often more responsive to a familiar teacher than an automated call.
Attendance is highlighted in announcements, newsletters, robocalls, and social media.
Strong Tier 1 practices reduce chronic absenteeism and the need for higher-tier supports.

Tier 2: CART + Early Targeted Supports

Goal: Provide early, targeted supports, through data-informed problem solving and strong family partnerships, for students who are at risk of chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days) so they can get back on track before concerns become more serious.

Tier 2 supports are coordinated through each school’s Chronic Absence Review Team (CART).

Identify

The Chronic Absence Review Team (CART) reviews attendance data regularly to identify students who are at risk of chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days).
We use attendance data to spot patterns of absences or tardies.
We look at common barriers like transportation, health, family changes, or school climate.
We consider IEPs, health plans, and 504 needs when attendance is affected.

Partner with Families

EveryDay Labs 3/5/8-day letters notify and encourage families early when absences begin to build.
Parent conferences give families a chance to review attendance patterns, share concerns, and co-create solutions.
Student Attendance Support Plans and Attendance Agreements are developed with students and families to outline clear strategies and shared commitments.

Student Supports

Check-In/Check-Out and Check & Connect provide regular adult check-ins, encouragement, and accountability.
Mentorships connect students with a trusted adult for guidance and advocacy.
Targeted support is provided for students experiencing homelessness or foster care to address unique barriers.
Health plans and Section 504 accommodations reduce health-related barriers to attendance.
Restorative practices repair relationships and help students remain connected to school.
Mental health supports, including motivational interviewing and school-avoidance screeners, address anxiety and other underlying concerns impacting attendance.

Support Plan

A Student Attendance Support Plan is a written plan created with the student and family.
It identifies barriers, lists specific strategies and supports, and explains how the school will check in on progress over time.
Parent conferences give families a chance to review attendance patterns, share concerns, and co-create solutions.
Student Attendance Support Plans and Attendance Agreements are developed with students and families to outline clear strategies and shared commitments.

Tier 3: Intensive Supports

Goal: Provide intensive, coordinated supports, through collaboration with students, families, school staff, community agencies, and court/DFCS partners when needed, for students experiencing chronic absenteeism or significant, persistent attendance barriers so they can safely re-engage and maintain consistent school attendance.

Identify & Engage

Use data to identify students with ongoing or severe attendance concerns.
Hold student and parent focus groups, including “Top 20” students and families and those experiencing homelessness or foster care.
Use school-avoidance screening and other tools to understand why students are missing school.
Use Motivational Interviewing to explore ambivalence, build readiness, and support positive change.
Develop Re-Engagement Action Plans to support a successful and consistent return to school.
Procure resources (food, housing support, transportation assistance, clothing, etc.) to reduce barriers to attendance.

Coordinate Mental Health Support

Coordinate school-based and community mental health supports to create a connected care team.
Offer mental health or skills groups to build coping, problem-solving, and school success skills.

DFCS / Juvenile Court Support (When Required)

For elementary-aged students, make Educational Neglect DFCS reports, when required, to support student safety and school engagement after school-based interventions have been attempted.
For middle and high school students under age 16, when school-based interventions have been attempted and concerns persist, file juvenile court truancy complaints in alignment with SB 123 and district protocols.

Home Visits & Ongoing Follow-Up

Conduct home visits to re-engage students, strengthen family–school partnerships, and problem-solve barriers.
Monitor progress, adjust supports as needed, and celebrate improved attendance and engagement.

Legal Foundations for School Attendance

The following laws guide how Atlanta Public Schools supports regular school attendance and responds when concerns arise:

Georgia Compulsory School Attendance Law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1)
Requires most children ages 6–16 to attend school regularly and outlines responsibilities for parents/guardians and schools.
Georgia Senate Bill 123 (SB 123)
Clarifies school and court responsibilities related to truancy and educational neglect, including the use of school-based interventions before legal action.
Georgia House Bill 530 (HB 530)
Requires schools and districts to follow specific procedures to locate and re-engage students who are not enrolled or not attending.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.)
Ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll, attend, and succeed in school, with supports such as transportation when needed.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Requires states and districts to monitor and address chronic absenteeism as part of school accountability and continuous improvement.

District Point of Contact:

Elesha Curvey, MSW, CSSW

Social Work Coordinator

Truancy Reporting Hotline: 404-802-3611

For more information about student attendance support and truancy prevention, use