I never won the Perfect Attendance award.
No matter how hard I tried, I was never called to the stage for that certificate. Swollen tonsils, ear infections and fevers stole that moment from me year after year. It didn’t matter that my parents drilled the phrase “you must be present to win” into my head or that they made sure I got to school whenever I was well. It didn’t matter that I was racking up academic awards.
The perfect attendance winners got something extra — a party — and no matter how much I wanted it, I wasn’t invited.
That feeling stuck with me long after childhood. But today, the stakes are much higher than missing out on a party. Too many of our students, especially Black students, aren’t just missing school — they’re missing opportunities, learning and their shot at success.
Last year, more than 200,000 students in Indiana missed 18 or more days of school — that’s nearly 1 in 5 students. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a crisis.
We know that life happens — illness, emergencies and transportation issues catch us all by surprise. But 18 days of missed school isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a barrier to long-term success.
Research makes it clear: students who are chronically absent — missing 10% or more of school days — are significantly less likely to read proficiently by third grade, master key English and math skills or graduate on time.
And the disparities are stark:
- One in three high school students in Indiana is chronically absent.
- Black students have the highest chronic absenteeism rates of any racial group.
If we don’t address this now, we’re failing our kids before they even get a chance to succeed.
We can solve this problem!
Chronic absenteeism isn’t inevitable — it’s a problem we can fix. But it requires all of us — parents, educators and community members — to create a culture where attendance is a shared priority. While no one solution fits every family, here are key opportunities:
At school, on time, every day
As parents and caregivers, do everything possible to get children to school. When that’s not possible, communicate with the school. Many schools offer flexible scheduling, before-and-after school care, virtual homework support and other solutions.
As a former charter school leader, I valued the autonomy to meet students where they were instead of expecting them to fit into a rigid system. Education leaders must extend that mindset across all schools. When students can’t come to school, schools must find ways to come to them.
Prioritize health without sacrificing learning
Schedule doctor’s appointments and wellness checks outside of school hours when possible. Many providers in Marion County now offer weekend and evening appointments, minimizing time away from school.
Create a transportation backup plan and tap into community resources
Life happens — cars break down, buses run late. Having a backup plan can be the difference between a missed school day and an on-time arrival. Try a neighborhood carpool, buddy system or school-based transportation resources.
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we’re stronger together. Many schools offer support beyond the classroom — food pantries, mental health services, mobile dental clinics and more. Ask for the help you need.
Winning requires showing up. Just like my parents said years ago, “You must be present to win.”
We want all our children to win at attendance, win at learning and win at life. That starts with making sure they’re in school — every day, on time, ready to learn.
This isn’t just a school issue — it’s a community issue. If we work together, we can make Indiana a place where every child crosses the stage — not just for an attendance award but for a brighter future.
Let’s get our kids to school. Let’s make sure they win.
Kelli Marshall is a wife and mother, former teacher, principal, and school leader. She founded Tindley Collegiate Academy, launched GEO Next Generation High School and has transformed struggling schools throughout Indianapolis. You can follow her on LinkedIn.
Learn more about how schools are Reducing Chronic Absenteeism here.
