million. the director of the national attendance works. she wants us to remember these numbers. children who miss more than 10% of school for any reason are more likely to fall behind. it is about four times higher among low-income kids. they are more likely to experience things like unreliable transportation, poor access to health care, unstable neighborhoods. we don t have the same benefits. maybe some of the kids have to work or deal with problems at home. the new principal says they are starting to look at the big picture. i have a lot of staff. their whole day is dedicated to getting the kids in class. what are all the outside things kids need besides what s going on in the classroom. chronic about innocence middle school can predict absence in middle school can predict dropout rate. if kids hit fourth grade without reading at grade level, they can start a downhill slide. cherry land elementary has raised its attendance 95% through daily awards and rewards fo