MTSS & Absenteeism: How to Use Tiered Interventions to Improve Attendance

It’s no secret that chronic absenteeism remains a top challenge facing K-12 schools today.

As schools work to re-engage students and rebuild consistent attendance, many are turning to the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. MTSS offers a proven, structured approach to identify root causes and intervene early.

In this post, we’ll explore what chronic absenteeism is, why it matters, and how MTSS can help your school or district not only improve attendance but support the whole student along the way.

What is chronic absenteeism?

Chronic absenteeism refers to any student who misses 10% or more of school days in a given year, regardless of whether those absences are excused or unexcused. That means missing two days each month can place a student in this category.

This is different from truancy, which typically refers to unexcused absences and may involve legal consequences. It’s also distinct from occasional absences due to illness or travel. 

Chronic absenteeism reflects a pattern that puts students at risk not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.

Why It Matters

• Academic impact: Chronically absent students are more likely to fall behind in reading and math and less likely to graduate on time.
• School funding: Attendance affects per-pupil funding in many states, impacting resources available to students.
• Equity gaps: Students in poverty, students of color, English learners, and students with disabilities are disproportionately affected.

Common causes of chronic absenteeism

Absenteeism is often the result of a combination of factors, including:

• Health challenges, both mental and physical
• Transportation issues
• Lack of engagement or connection to school
• Housing or food insecurity
• Bullying or school safety concerns
• Family obligations or unstable home environments

As Superintendent Stephanie Lamline shared in a recent Otus webinar: “The students that are typically chronic, there’s a lot going on at home. It’s not just ‘I don’t want to go to school.’”

MTSS framework for reducing absenteeism

The MTSS framework is designed to proactively address barriers to student success by providing tiered levels of support across academics, behavior, and more. MTSS is equally effective when applied to attendance.

Here’s how the structure works:

• Tier 1: Universal supports for all students (e.g., positive school climate, consistent routines, strong relationships)
• Tier 2: Targeted interventions for students showing early signs of disengagement (e.g., small-group mentoring, attendance contracts)
• Tier 3: Intensive, individualized interventions for chronically absent students (e.g., wraparound services, home visits, coordinated care team)

By layering supports, schools can address the root causes of absenteeism before patterns become severe.

Using tiered interventions to reduce student absences

Tier 1: Preventative Supports for All

• Build a welcoming school climate where students feel connected. For example, greet students by name at the door and incorporate daily check-ins to strengthen relationships.
• Recognize good and improved attendance publicly and regularly. Display classroom-level attendance charts or shout out students during morning announcements.
• Communicate attendance expectations clearly to students and families. Include guidelines in back-to-school packets and revisit them during parent-teacher conferences.

Tier 2: Early Intervention for At-Risk Students

• Identify students with emerging attendance concerns (e.g., missing 5-9% of days). Use attendance dashboards to flag students for early intervention before they slide into chronic absenteeism.
• Provide targeted supports like check-ins, peer mentors, or attendance groups. For instance, you could assign a trusted adult to meet with at-risk students weekly to build connection and accountability.
• Engage families early with data and shared problem-solving. Schedule family meetings to review attendance patterns, uncover challenges, and co-create support plans.

Tier 3: Intensive, Individualized Interventions

• Collaborate with community partners and social workers to support learners. You might even coordinate with local mental health providers or housing organizations to address out-of-school barriers.
• Develop individual attendance plans tied to academic and behavioral goals. Include measurable objectives like “attend 4 out of 5 days of school per week” and track progress.
• Offer flexible scheduling or alternative programs as appropriate. Consider part-day options, virtual learning components, or work-based learning for students with complex needs.

How to improve attendance: Practical tips for schools 

Improving attendance doesn’t happen overnight, and it requires a whole-school effort. Here are some effective strategies:

• Connect attendance to relationships: As Chris Combass shared in a recent webinar, “You have to be able to get the students engaged while they’re in school so they want to come back the next day.” 
• Start with staff culture: Foster a positive culture for students and staff. As Michael Hale from Casco Bay High School noted, “If staff don’t feel welcome and supported, kids will feel that too.”
• Empower students: Use advisory-based attendance agreements or student-led data tracking to promote reflection and accountability.
• Celebrate growth: Recognize even small improvements to help students build momentum.
• Track and analyze data in one place: Centralized access to all attendance, academic, and behavioral data helps teams collaborate and respond swiftly.

So, what now?

Supporting attendance means more than tracking seat time—it’s about reengaging students. With Otus, you can easily monitor attendance trends, track interventions, and ensure every student gets the support they need to succeed. 

Watch the video to see Otus' progress monitoring tools in action.