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MSDE rolls out chronic-absenteeism toolkit and monthly dashboard after data links absences to lower proficiency
Summary
MSDE unveiled a "welcome back" toolkit and a proof-of-concept monthly attendance dashboard after research showed early absences (4 days in September) strongly predict yearlong chronic absence and reduced MCAP proficiency (up to ~14 points in math). The state will collect monthly attendance snapshots to help LEAs intervene quickly.
Maryland's education department presented a data-driven strategy to reduce chronic absenteeism and launched a "welcome back" toolkit and a monthly attendance-monitoring pilot designed to identify students at risk earlier in the year.
Researchers showed a strong relationship between attendance and academic performance: elementary students who missed 10 days in the school year were roughly 10 percentage points less likely to be proficient in English language arts and 14 points less likely in mathematics than peers with no absences. The MSDE research team also found that missing four days in September was associated with a 15-point lower likelihood of proficiency by spring, and that more than three absences in September strongly predicted later chronic absenteeism.
MSDE presented a multi-tiered response: universal welcoming and positive messaging, targeted interventions (attendance mentors, check-and-connect, family engagement), and intensive supports (personalized attendance success plans, home visits). The welcome-back toolkit includes communication templates, data-review checklists, and suggested welcoming activities for schools.
To give LEAs real-time operational intelligence, MSDE piloted a monthly collection and dashboard that mirrors end-of-year chronic-absence rules in a more nimble format. MSDE modeled the tool on 2023-24 data and found its monthly predictions closely approximated official year-end rates and identified at-risk cohorts earlier in the year.
MSDE will continue partnerships with Attendance Works and health partners, ask community schools to report attendance strategies, and prepare a December report per statute with recommended regulations and guidance. The department plans to release monthly attendance snapshots to LEAs and integrate dashboard feedback with ongoing toolkit supports.
Next steps: MSDE will operationalize monthly reporting, share toolkit materials with LEAs, continue attendance-focused professional learning, and present regulatory recommendations by December.
