AttendNC Counts

Practical tools translate what the research base suggests into daily and weekly routines schools and PSUs can actually run. These resources support consistent implementation of core attendance strategies, including proactive Tier 1 supports, targeted outreach for emerging risk, barrier reduction through coordinated supports, and continuous monitoring to adjust quickly. 

Examples of tools and routines: 

• Standardized attendance team workflows (meeting cadence, agendas, documentation)
• Early warning and prioritization supports (risk flags, triage guides, follow-up timelines)
• Family engagement materials (scripts, message templates, bilingual handouts)
• Barrier problem-solving tools (intake questions, resource navigation, warm handoffs)

• Monitoring and learning tools (trackers, dashboards guidance, fidelity and reflection prompts)

AttendNC Bright Spots is our approach to identifying and sharing peer-tested practices that improve attendance. Using data and peer comparisons to surface attendance “bright spots,” we then work with participating schools and PSUs to document what they did, why it worked in their context, and what others need to know to implement with fidelity while adapting to local conditions. 

You’ll see: 

• Short, plain-language stories of practice change grounded in real routines
• Implementation notes tied to common evidence-based strategies (family engagement, barrier reduction, school climate and belonging, and tiered supports)
• Context and transfer guidance, including staffing, partnerships, and timeline
• Artifacts you can reuse: meeting agendas, outreach scripts, and tracking tools (when shared)

2025 AttendNC Bright Spots

AttendNC provides data and support to help schools and PSUs interpret attendance measures consistently and access actionable information for improvement. Resources include shared definitions and calculation notes, FAQs, and the publication of datasets, dashboards, and reporting products that support early identification, subgroup and context interpretation, and progress monitoring. 

Examples of what you’ll find: 

• Public-facing datasets and summary tables (where appropriate)
• Shared definitions and calculation notes (attendance, chronic absenteeism thresholds, membership days)
• Dashboards and reporting products for schools, PSUs, and statewide monitoring
• Data “how-to” guides and interpretation guidance (trend vs. snapshot, subgroup and context considerations)

AttendNC Counts provides communications tools and supports that translate effective attendance strategies into clear, supportive messaging for families and school communities. These resources help schools and PSUs build shared expectations, strengthen belonging, and respond quickly when students start missing school. 

Examples of what you’ll find: 

• Universal Tier 1 messaging (attendance expectations, routines, encouragement)
• Outreach scripts for early warning and follow-up (calls, texts, letters, emails)
• Family-facing printables (bilingual tip sheets, checklists, “what to do when…”)
• Barrier-focused messages and referral guidance (transportation, health, housing)
• “Ready-to-run” campaign toolkits (graphics, short blurbs, newsletter inserts)