How can schools use recess to reduce chronic absenteeism?
This 30-day plan can help K-12 school and district leaders strengthen routines, shared spaces, and adult consistency inside the school day, to improve attendance and student experience.
How the school day shapes attendance
Attendance is shaped by what students experience every day at school.
When routines are consistent, shared spaces feel safe and engaging, and students have strong connections to adults, attendance improves. These conditions are built during arrival, transitions, and recess, and carry into the rest of the day.
A UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found lower chronic absenteeism rates in schools with Playworks programming.
Most attendance strategies focus on tracking data. This reset focuses on strengthening the daily routines and experiences that help students feel ready to show up.
Schools across the country are strengthening these parts of the school day to improve attendance and student experience.
When the school day works, students show up.
Small shifts in daily routines can change how students experience school in a matter of weeks.
Get the 30-Day Attendance Systems Reset and identify where routines, shared spaces, and adult consistency may be affecting attendance.
