Attendance Matters: Incentive Programs and Chronic Absenteeism in Elementary Schools

Chronic absenteeism is a common challenge in elementary education. Schools often use attendance incentive programs, such as rewards or recognition, to encourage students to attend regularly. However, it is not always clear whether these programs actually improve attendance. This study examined whether attendance incentive programs are effective and how school staff view and use these programs. This mixed-methods study used both school attendance data and interviews with school personnel. Attendance data from two school years showed that schools with incentive programs did not have lower absenteeism rates than schools without them. However, attendance improved overall from one year to the next. Interview data provided additional explanation for these results. Staff shared that incentive programs can help bring attention to attendance and support a positive school culture, but they are not enough on their own to solve attendance problems. Staff also explained that many factors outside of school affect attendance, including family decisions, transportation challenges, and other life circumstances. When the data and staff perspectives were considered together, the combined results suggest that incentive programs work best when they are part of a larger system. This includes regularly tracking attendance, communicating with families, and providing support to students facing challenges. The results of this study suggest that improving attendance requires a comprehensive approach rather than relying on incentives alone.