At the school level educators can and do have a powerful impact on student attendance. Experience has shown us that schools that successfully reduce chronic absenteeism have created a school wide culture of attendance that involves everyone in the building. Teachers inside the classroom are key to this, especially certificated classroom teachers, resource specialists, teachers on special assignment and instructional aides. Professionals who work with students outside of the classroom and have daily opportunities to interact with students and their families—school secretaries, bus drivers and kitchen staff—can also make a difference in helping individual students be in school every day.

This video created for the Atlanta Speech School shows how small changes in adult behavior can create a welcoming environment.