We celebrated Attendance Awareness Month in September, and I want to extend my gratitude to every person, organization, and business that is championing attendance efforts in their local school districts.
As I witnessed when I toured Gladstone School District earlier this month, when schools and communities show up for students, students show up for school.
The young scholars in your neighborhood need you. Your community needs you. Our state needs you. Ensuring that Oregon’s students get the most out of school starts with all of us working together — and that begins with showing up.
Why attendance matters
Attendance isn’t just about being present — it’s a gateway to opportunity. It’s through consistent attendance that students unlock the life-changing potential of public education. From learning to read, to mastering a trade like welding, to forming bonds with friends, teachers, and coaches, these essential experiences can only happen when students, in every grade and from every background, are present and engaged.
The alignment with our department’s three priorities — Academic Excellence, Belonging and Wellness, and Reimagining Accountability — is clear. Students who attend school regularly are better positioned to excel academically. They can fully participate in initiatives like the science-based Early Literacy Success Initiative, which transforms young learners into readers, and career-oriented Career Technical Education programs, which shape students into professionals. Moreover, attendance fosters a sense of belonging and supports wellness by connecting students to a community where they feel valued and supported.
By showing up, we create a space where students can experience love, justice, and hope — values that underpin our shared commitment to equitable education.
The barriers they face
For many students, simply getting to class can be their greatest academic challenge. Young scholars, particularly elementary school students, continue to face barriers such as lack of reliable transportation, food and housing insecurity, or the responsibility of caring for younger siblings while parents work. These barriers are complex and can make attending school feel insurmountable.
What we know works
Community by community, school district by school district, we are rising to meet these challenges. Long-term improvements in attendance are rooted in collaboration and problem-solving with families. Successful strategies focus on building relationships and understanding the needs of students and families at a deep level.
For example, at Stanfield Elementary School in Umatilla County, school staff increased attendance more than 15 points above the state average. The school met families where they are — literally visiting their homes to understand the barriers they face and offer support. Similarly, through the Tribal Attendance Promising Practices (TAPP) program, Chiloquin Elementary in the Klamath County School District reduced chronic absenteeism more than seven percent by fostering a welcoming school environment that honored Klamath Tribal culture and language. By creating a sense of belonging, the school saw a significant increase in regular attendance, particularly among American Indian and Alaska Native students.
These efforts demonstrate that when we prioritize belonging and wellness, academic success follows.
What you can do
Attendance is a cause that transcends individual schools and communities. From Astoria to Ontario, we all have a role to play in cultivating the conditions that encourage students not only to show up but to thrive in their educational experiences. This Attendance Awareness Month, I encourage you to connect with your local school district or the attendance experts at ODE’s Every Day Matters team to learn how you can support your community’s attendance efforts.
Together, we can inspire hope, practice justice, and lead with love to ensure that every Oregon student has the opportunity to succeed.
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