Legacy Traditional Schools Pledges to Engage the Community, Families, and Students In a Nationwide Effort to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
Legacy Traditional Schools in Arizona and its Superintendent Mia Vega are joining a nationwide effort this September focused on reducing chronic absenteeism in the new school year. Legacy Traditional Schools recognizes that addressing absenteeism is critical to raising academic achievement and giving young people the best chance at success in their adult lives.
Chronic absence is defined as missing approximately 10 percent of the school year, which equates to about 18 school days. Research further indicates that students who miss between two to four days during the first month of school are at a higher risk of becoming chronically absent throughout the academic year. 
“Improving student attendance matters to all of us, not just those with school-age children,” said Superintendent of Legacy Traditional Schools Mia Vega. “We’re excited to join the hundreds of schools, city agencies, and businesses nationwide raising public awareness and improving school attendance and student engagement.”
Research shows that chronic absences can predict lower 3rd-grade reading scores, which may be a warning sign for lower academic outcomes by middle school. Students in the early grades frequently miss due to frequent health, transportation, or housing challenges – barriers that city agencies and community partners can help families address.
“September is a perfect time to focus on attendance,” said Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works. “By paying attention to absences early in the school year and early in a child’s academic career, we can turn around attendance and achievement.”