In the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS), students can achieve passing grades and be promoted to the next grade level or graduate even if the student has missed more than 10 percent of total days enrolled. For most chronically absent students, that means they could miss 18 or more days each school year.
SCCPSS’s total College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) student attendance measure for percentage of students absent less than 10 percent of days enrolled (otherwise considered acceptable attendance) was 74 percent last school year. That rate is the same as 2023, which was two percent higher than 2022’s rate of 72 percent.
SCCPSS Executive Director of Accountability, Assessment, & Reporting Services Laura May, Ph.D. cited United States Department of Education insights on absenteeism during the School Year 2023-2024 Attendance report at the school board’s September 2024 Informal Session . She said absenteeism by students in the first month can predict future poor attendance throughout the year.