Colorado Policies

Chronic Absenteeism Scan Framework
This scan examines how states are addressing chronic absenteeism through evidence-based practices and policy approaches. It highlights both promising models and areas of opportunity for states as challenges persist across the country.

Data and Accountability
For states to make progress toward addressing chronic absenteeism, all stakeholders must have access to useful, accurate, and timely educator workforce data. As keepers of state data systems, state education agencies are best positioned to establish common definitions and collect and share this data, which should be publicly available and easily accessible so stakeholders can make targeted, strategic workforce decisions at the school, district, and state level.

Investments in Engagement Strategies to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
To improve chronic absenteeism rates, states must prioritize sustained investments and implement evidence-based strategies that address the root causes especially for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities. State education agencies, in partnership with districts and communities, are uniquely positioned to allocate resources toward high-impact interventions such as wraparound services, policy agenda, improved transportation, and family engagement. These investments should be driven by data and equity, aligned with statelevel goals, and monitored for effectiveness.

Eliminating Harmful Practices and Adopting Evidence-based Guidance and Policies
Eliminate discipline practices such as suspensions for disrespect, minor disruptions, dress code violations, and other non-violent behaviors that harm the relationship between students and school. Success means removing these policies and replacing them with supportive, restorative approaches that keep students connected to learning.

LEGEND:
  • Most supportive
  • Partially supportive
  • Least supportive

  • Data & Accountability

    • Does the state require taking daily attendance and does it set a definition of daily attendance

      The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) requires school districts to monitor and report attendance, including daily attendance data, as part of compliance with state and federal education laws such as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Colorado law mandates that children between the ages of 6 and 17 attend school daily; however, the state does not define what a full day of attendance is.

    • Disaggregated data on chronic absenteeism and attendance 

      Grade, race/ethnicity, gender, students with disabilities, English language learners, students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, homeless students, foster youth, and migrant students. Data is cross-tabulated in the form of an organized excel sheet.

    • Attendance monitoring systems in place: data tracking tool, types of absences contributing to chronic absenteeism

      Colorado uses the CEDAR (Colorado Education Data Analysis and Reporting) system to manage and analyze attendance data.

    • How often does the state collect chronic absenteeism data from school districts 

      Colorado collects and publishes chronic absenteeism data on an annual basis.

    • Publicly available and accessible chronic absenteeism data

      Colorado has a page on their website dedicated to chronic absenteeism data. The page includes data from the most recent school year with a one-pager that summarizes the data.

    • Early warning indicators in state policy

      Colorado’s early warning and intervention system — also referred to as the On-Track/Early Warning System (EWS) — is a proactive framework designed to identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism, academic failure, or dropping out, and to intervene early with targeted supports.

  • Investments in Strategy to Improve Chronic Absenteeism

    • Investments in strategies to increase engagement and lower rates of chronic absenteeism  

      Colorado does not have any clear evidence of making investments to reduce chronic absenteeism; however, the state has implemented strategies such as: home visit programs, mentoring and re-engagement, family engagement, and school-based health and wellness centers to address root causes of chronic absenteeism.

    • The state has a clear policy agenda that prioritizes the reduction of chronic absenteeism  

      No evidence.

    • Financial sustainability

      No evidence.

  • Harmful Practices

    • Adoption of evidence-based discipline guidance and policies 

      Restorative practices, SEL supports, positive behavior interventions, improved reporting practices regarding discipline, implemented manadatory training for school-based professionals over suspension/expulsions.

    • Elimination of harmful practices that research proves contribute to chronic absenteeism

      No evidence.

Colorado Chronic Absenteeism Numbers

Understanding state policy conditions to address chronic absenteeism is one part of the story. It’s also important to review actual – timely – data on chronic absenteeism to understand attendance patterns, engage in early intervention and prevention, identify trends, allocate resources where they are needed most, and implement targeted interventions in a way that addresses root causes and meets the needs of students and their families. Timely and transparent data can also help advocates understand where to ask educators in their communities to focus efforts.

The data below presents information about chronic absenteeism rates in 2022-23, and projects how those rates would need to change to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50% over five years — overall and for individual student groups, because averages hide important details about how specific groups of students are faring. And since we can’t accept different standards for different groups, the goal displayed is for each student group to achieve the same chronic absenteeism rate as other groups.

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