Attendance is a big job, but I’ve seen a few tried and true strategies can make a real difference in how families engage and how consistently students show up. After supporting districts across the country, here are the areas I have seen move the needle most.
Make Expectations Clear for Families
Families want to do the right thing, but only if they know what that is. What counts as excused or unexcused? Is being tardy even allowed (in some cultures if you miss the bell you miss the school day)? Are codes the same across schools? Too often, the rules aren’t clear, or families are confused on the explanations. A simple one-page guide in the languages your families speak can set everyone up for success. With ReachMyTeach, schools can share that information instantly in over 130 languages. If you’d like a copy of our attendance guide in multiple languages, please fill out the form to get instant access.
Use Robo Calls Wisely
Automated calls can be a helpful tool, but only when they’re accurate. At the start of the year, class schedules may still be shifting. If a parent thinks their child has a late arrival but gets a call at 8:15 saying they’re absent, they may stop taking those calls seriously. Waiting until schedules are stable helps maintain trust. With ReachMyTeach, districts can control the timing so messages are useful instead of frustrating.
Give Families a Simple Way to Reply
A message that only says “call the school” often leads to silence. Parents may be at work, unsure how urgent the matter is, or hesitant to call if they’re not fluent in English. With ReachMyTeach, families can reply immediately with a quick note like “doctor’s appointment” or “running late.” It works in any language and supports the NEA’s 2021 findings that two-way, family-center
ed communication reduces chronic absenteeism. 95% of texts are read in the first 3 minutes, so we see much faster response rates for excusing absences. One of our clients Liz Davenport, an administrative clerk in a front office says it best:
“Saved time, more information about excused absences, and parents thanking me for how easy it was to do — ReachMyTeach makes the attendance process painless for staff and families! Any admin team would love it”
Balance Accountability with Encouragement
Attendance isn’t only about addressing problems; it’s also about celebrating wins. A short message like “Thanks for being on time today” or “Glad you’re here” builds trust and partnership. Many schools encourage homeroom teachers to send these during the first 5 minutes of their first full staff PD! ReachMyTeach makes this simple with interpreter-certified templates (known to translate well across multiple languageS) and merge fields, so staff can send one message home with the confidence it will reach the targeted families and in the languages they speak, and this will improve school attendance!
Final Thoughts
Boosting attendance doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Small, intentional changes, clear expectations, well-timed notifications, easy two-way communication, and positive reinforcement can make a big difference. At ReachMyTeach, we help schools put these strategies into action. Reach out today to see how we can help your school keep families connected and students engaged.
Wishing you a smooth start to the year,
Helen & RMT Team
Helen Cohen began her career as a high school history and ELL teacher, where 56 languages were spoken. She co-founded ReachMyTeach to bridge communication gaps between schools and families.
