Every Day Counts: How Early Attendance Shapes Reading Success

At KUSD, we know that every school day matters, especially in those crucial early years. Research shows just how important consistent attendance is for building the foundation skills our students need to become successful readers.

The Connection Between Attendance and Reading

The data tells a compelling story about the link between showing up to school and reading achievement by third grade. Students with good attendance patterns in kindergarten and first grade are significantly more likely to read at grade level after third grade.

Here's what the numbers reveal:

• Students with consistent attendance see the biggest gains. When children miss fewer than 9 days in both kindergarten and first grade, 64% go on to read at grade level after third grade. This shows how regular classroom instruction builds reading skills day by day.
• Missing too many days creates challenges. Students with at-risk attendance patterns—missing more than 9 days in both kindergarten and first grade—see their success rate drop to 43%. While these students can still succeed, the missed instructional time makes it harder to master essential reading skills.
• Chronic absenteeism has the greatest impact. Students who are chronically absent in just one of these early grades (missing 18 or more days) succeed at a rate of 41%. When chronic absenteeism occurs in both kindergarten and first grade, only 17% of students read at grade level after third grade.

Why These Early Years Matter

Kindergarten and first grade are when students learn the building blocks of reading: letter recognition, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies. Each day of instruction builds on the previous day's learning. When students miss school regularly, they miss these fundamental lessons that are difficult to make up later.

Third grade represents a critical milestone in education—it's when students transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." Students who aren't reading proficiently by this point often struggle academically throughout their school careers.

Supporting Our KUSD Families

We understand that families sometimes face challenges that make regular attendance difficult. Our district is committed to working with families to remove barriers and support consistent school attendance. Whether it's transportation issues, health concerns, or other family circumstances, we're here to help find solutions.

Every Day Makes a Difference

As we start this school year, let's remember that attendance isn't just about being present—it's about giving our children the best possible chance to succeed. When students attend school regularly, they don't just learn academic content; they develop relationships with teachers and peers, build confidence, and establish positive learning habits that will serve them throughout their educational journey.

We encourage all KUSD families to make attendance a priority. Together, we can help every student build the strong foundation they need for reading success and beyond.