Student Attendance

Attendance covers a range of services to ensure that New York City public schools meet requirements of New York State education law and Chancellor's regulations.

  • Attendance Law and Policy
  • Daily Attendance and Attendance Reporting
  • Attendance Data Management and Procedures
  • Attendance Improvement Strategies
  • Reducing Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy

Student attendance impacts enrollment and budget, as well as academic achievement.  Students cannot learn if they are not in school.  Improving student attendance is a concern for every family and every member of the school community.  Together, the family and school provides students with the support they need to attend and be successful in school.

Check your student's attendance on ARIS Parent Link.  To learn how, click here.

Daily school-wide attendance for all schools is posted here. (this screen may take a while to open)

Historical attendance data for all schools, by month, is available here.

Do you have questions about how to help a student maintain good attendance?

SchoolEveryDay

Also, see these resources for ideas and sources of support.

Download a printable document version of this information here.

Keeping children healthy and ready to learn.

Keeping kids engaged in school.

  • Ask your children about their interests. Ask the school about related after school activities.
  • See all services —for sports, arts and tutoring-- provided by DOE under Student Support, Safety & Activities.
  • Call 800-246-4646 to ask about other after school programs, services and opportunities for young people: DYCD Youth Connect Hotline.

Working Out Travel Concerns.

  • Help your children set and follow morning routines to avoid missing the bus.
  • If your child takes public transportation, find the best commute by using the websites hopstop.com or tripplanner.mta.info.
  • Visit the Office of Pupil Transportation for further resources: view bus routes, find out about eligibility and MetroCards.

Partnering with the School. Every school has contact information for the Parent Coordinator, Parent Association President, or Borough Family Engagement Officer on the school web portal. Search for your school here.

Knowing What to Ask for at the School.

  • Ask the school counselor to set up a "contract" for your child, with goals for attendance, rewards and consequences.
  • The contract may include Daily Progress Report forms for each teacher to complete.
  • Ask for an ARIS ParentLink password, so you can view your child's attendance and academic performance on any computer.
  • Ask for a schedule of upcoming Parent Association meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
  • Ask for a report card distribution schedule.
  • Ask about setting up a weekly time to touch base with the parent coordinator or school counselor to get information about daily and period attendance for the prior week.
  • Ask about providing your child with at-risk school counseling services, or a school faculty or after school program mentor.

Getting Help with Academic Concerns.
Sometimes students who are behind in schoolwork are more likely to skip school.

  • Ask about school's tutoring programs, and have your child scheduled for tutoring.
  • Use this link--Homework Resources -- to get to the best on-line and telephone homework help services, like "Dial-a-Teacher."
  • Inquire about school evaluations (if appropriate).
  • For students 17 years old and up, please ask for the Know Your Rights-Student Information packet, as well as the website goingforme.org.

Getting Help for Bullying.

  • Encourage your child to talk to you about bullying. Work to establish good communication and trust with your child.
  • Ask about the school's Respect for All program.
  • Visit the school and talk with the guidance counselors or deans about your concerns.

Managing Teenagers' Schedules.

  • Teens may need to work, or take care of siblings or other family members.
  • Talk honestly with your child about responsibilities to family and to school. Is attending school a priority in your home? How can you work with family, neighbors or friends to make school a priority?
  • Ask about a possible program change to accommodate your child.
  • Ask schools about co-op programs or other opportunities for school schedules that support students who work.
  • Get missed assignments from teachers, and help your child to complete them.
     
    Students in Temporary Housing.
  • Tell school officials abut your needs (school supplies, clothes, toiletries). There are resources for families and it is your right.
  • Discuss issues related to travel with the school. Your child is entitled to transportation.
  • Be familiar with services available for you. Get more information at the STH webpage.

Community-Based and Faith-Based Organizations

Please see Mayor Bloomberg's "Call to Action" inviting you to support families and schools in addressing the causes of chronic absenteeism.
The materials here are in English and Spanish.

Schools and Networks:

School officials and Children First Network team members should visit the Attendance page on the Principals' Portal for additional resources to support students.