SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations

352.671.7734 w ◊ 352.840.3265 c

[email protected]

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE MESSAGE:

‘BE PRESENT, BE POWERFUL!’

MARION COUNTY – “Chronically absent” is a newer term for many communities, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.

It refers to students who have missed at least 10% of the school year to date.

Last school year, 32% of Marion County Public Schools students were considered chronically absent. Currently, 15% of MCPS students are chronically absent for the school year that started August 12.

To fight chronic absenteeism, MCPS has launched its annual attendance campaign, this year themed “Be Present, Be Powerful!”

Partnering with the national campaign through Attendance Works, this year’s recurrent theme to “Be Present, Be Powerful!” underscores the fact that absences add up. Regular school attendance requires strong, solid support from family and community.

Starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, regular attendance is essential for students gaining the academic and social skills they need to thrive. When students miss just two days of school each month, they miss 18 days of learning -- 10% of the entire school year. Some miss even more and are considered truant under Florida law.

Research shows chronically absent students are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve academically in middle school, and graduate on-time from high school.

While daily MCPS attendance averages 94.33% so far this school year, the percentage of chronically absent students typically increases as the year progresses.

Last year’s daily attendance average reached 90.91%, the highest since the pandemic. MCPS encourages parents, families, relatives, caregivers, and the community at-large to support student attendance by ensuring students are at school, on time, every day realizing sickness, death, and other issues may impact attendance temporarily.

            The entire community benefits when children and youth have equal opportunity to gain skills and abilities that prepare them for success in school, work, and life. “Be Present, Be Powerful!” showcases the importance of this message.

For more information, visit www.attendanceworks.org. 

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