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Louisiana Schools Find Success in Reducing Chronic Absenteeism

In a remarkable achievement, seven school districts in Louisiana have made significant strides in tackling absenteeism among students, thanks to a collaborative initiative with EveryDay Labs. During the 2024-2025 school year, these districts collectively reduced the rate of chronic absenteeism by approximately 11.5%, translating into an impressive 137,722 additional school days attended by students.

This pilot program was launched by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), and various local stakeholders, including the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) and the Success Through Attendance Recovery Task Force (STAR). Founded in response to an alarming rise in chronic absenteeism, which reached a peak of 28% in 2021, the program aimed to combat the growing trend that has serious ramifications for academic performance and graduation rates.

According to BESE President Ronnie Morris, the statistics surrounding absenteeism paint a troubling picture, one that often goes unnoticed by the general public. With one in four students missing 10% or more of school days, the need for effective solutions has never been clearer. Chronic absenteeism is linked not only to lower reading proficiency but also to broader academic challenges and decreased graduation rates—the stakes are high.

The EveryDay Labs pilot program came equipped with targeted interventions, tools, training, and support. It empowered educational staff with data-driven approaches that fostered better engagement with families and students, proving effective across the seven participating districts. Notably, six of the districts recorded improvements that met or exceeded the national averages for attendance recovery.

Highlighting the Gains
Among the most notable successes: East Baton Rouge Parish, Calcasieu Parish, and Jefferson Parish achieved reductions in chronic absenteeism between 6% and 10%. Meanwhile, Tangipahoa Parish and Zachary Community showed even more remarkable gains, with reductions ranging from 11% to 20%. West Baton Rouge Parish made exceptional progress, cutting chronic absenteeism by over 30%.

Trey Godfrey, Senior Vice President of Policy at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, emphasized the importance of attendance in shaping students' educational paths. He remarked, "We recognize the value of our students and the importance of their trajectories through their learning careers—attendance is a fundamental prerequisite to that success. This partnership showcases what's possible when we act collectively and urgently to ensure every student can learn, grow, and thrive."

The success achieved through this pilot indicates that a systematic and collaborative approach, utilizing data effectively, can yield substantive improvements in educational outcomes. Emily Bailard, CEO of EveryDay Labs, commended the dedication and cooperation of district leaders and school staff. "This remarkable progress underscores the collaborative spirit and strategic focus fostered by the leadership across all seven participating systems. We are committed to building upon these gains to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive academically."

As more data and success stories emerge from the EveryDay Labs initiative, it becomes increasingly clear that addressing chronic absenteeism requires collective action, strategic planning, and dedicated resources. The pilot project's testimonials and studies demonstrate a hopeful path forward for Louisiana’s education system, highlighting the significant impact that collaborative interventions can have in nurturing a culture of attendance and academic success.

To learn more about the pilot program's full findings, you can download the comprehensive case study report here.

About EveryDay Labs

EveryDay Labs is dedicated to applying evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism while enhancing student academic performance. With a reach of over 1.5 million students nationwide, they provide schools with the necessary data tools and personalized communication solutions to boost attendance. Recognized as effective by Johns Hopkins' Evidence for ESSA, the EveryDay Labs program is helping schools nationwide ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed in their educational journey.