Professional Learning and Resources to Support Improved School Attendance

The Maine Engagement and Attendance Center (MEAC), a statewide collaboration working to strengthen student engagement and attendance and to address chronic absenteeism in Maine schools, is focused on weaving together Maine Department of Education (DOE) initiatives to coordinate practical tools and opportunities for educators to learn from one another to improve student attendance.

To support this work, MEAC has cultivated a growing collection of resources and professional learning opportunities on data use, family engagement, school leadership, progress monitoring, and Tier 1 attendance strategies.

Check out the MEAC webpage to find updated resources and tools, including the Maine Attendance Toolkit. For more information on how the toolkit can strengthen your classroom, school, or district practices, view this four-part recorded series highlighting aspects of the Attendance Toolkit:

Consider adopting the MEAC motto to support attendance efforts: “Rooted in Learning, Growing Every Day: Be Pine Tree Present!”

September is National Attendance Awareness Month, and MEAC will add Maine-themed resources throughout the month to help educators improve attendance.  One resource to support our Maine educators is this Pine Tree Present Fact Sheet.

MEAC has also developed a two-page Attendance Tracker designed to help families monitor missed school days and identify when additional support may be needed. The resource pairs a family-facing tracker with Maine DOE’s Evidence-Based Interventions and Attendance Support Plan. Educators can share copies with families or design their own to support their learning community.  Research shows that families underestimate how quickly absences add up throughout the school year.  

Count ME In!, a state partner and member of MEAC, has a collection of attendance communication tools. These tools support clear, proactive, and relationship-centered outreach with students and families. Find those resources here and sign up for the monthly newsletter today: Count ME In! Attendance Help for Maine Schools, Teachers, Principals and Students | Everyone Counts! 

This month, MEAC will launch a virtual Attendance Support Series for those seeking technical assistance from data experts at Maine DOE and school personnel throughout the state, including classroom teachers, building administrators, school counselors, and attendance team members. 

The series’ topics are aligned with the natural rhythm of the school year and will highlight positive relationship-building and effective use of data, barrier identification and intervention, and reflection and planning for next steps.  

Monthly attendance topics:  

Please use this link to register for the Attendance Support Series. 

For further information and questions about MEAC, please visit the Maine DOE MEAC webpage or reach out to Sarah Nelson, Maine DOE Attendance and Engagement Specialist at  Sarah.Nelson@maine.gov. 

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