Kane County Education Office Tackles the Attendance Challenge: Turning Absences into Achievements

 September is nationally recognized as Attendance Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of consistent attendance for students across Kane County. Early in the school year, establishing good attendance habits is crucial. A student who misses 10% or more of school days in a year is considered chronically absent. Research shows these students are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve at the same level in middle school as their peers, or graduate high school.

Missing even one day of school every two weeks can add up to nearly 1.5 years of missed schooling from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Kane County Regional Office of Education (ROE) prioritizes helping students attend school every day. Our team works closely with school districts to connect students and families with necessary resources and supports to remove barriers to attendance.

Earlier this month, the ROE’s Youth Outreach team held its monthly meeting to discuss current juvenile and adult cases, explore new technology and practices for supporting students and families, and address challenges. The team welcomed three new members: Brooke Walter (Youth Outreach), Amber Evans (Community Intervention Specialist), and Destini Boswell (Truancy Intervention Specialist). Each plays a critical role in encouraging students to attend school and get the most out of their educational experience.

The Kane County ROE also continues to support children experiencing homelessness. Staff attended the 2024 CASA Kane County Community Educational Conference, connecting with social workers and other professionals to raise awareness about McKinney-Vento-eligible children, the responsibilities of school districts, and available resources. James Pawola, the ROE’s Homelessness Liaison, presented on supporting McKinney-Vento-eligible youth, children in foster care, and connecting them with educational supports.

"Building strong attendance habits at the start of the school year is essential," said Patricia Dal Santo, Regional Superintendent for Kane County. "It helps children establish relationships with their peers and teachers, making them feel comfortable coming back each day. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing chronic truancy or hardships, but our staff has extensive experience in implementing proven strategies. We are committed to ensuring every child has access to a meaningful educational experience."