Chronic absence – when students miss 10% of school for any reason – has emerged as a critical leading indicator that schools and communities should track and address. Following a review of recent national research, we will discuss the root causes and impact of chronic absence and explore key strategies schools can employ to assess their attendance patterns and organize their resources to meet students’ and families’ needs. In addition to reviewing successful practices from around the country and the ground-breaking work in New York City, we will discuss the USDOE’s Every Student Every Day initiative, as well as the National Success Mentor Corps and My Brother’s Keeper initiatives.