Let's Solve the Attendance Problem Together
We're on a mission to convene, engage, and educate on school attendance in the United States. Let's do it together.
About Us
Attendance USA is the first national initiative in the United States dedicated exclusively to addressing student attendance and absenteeism. By uniting leading scholars, practitioners, and organizations, Attendance USA offers a centralized platform for evidence-based solutions, shared standards, and actionable strategies to combat chronic absenteeism and promote student engagement.
To serve as the collective voice of the field of attendance and absenteeism in and for the US where we collaborate for attendance change; merge lanes to reduce the distance across our silos; and together promote the need to reunite education and care for our students and country.
For attendance and absenteeism to reunite Education and Care for the sake of our children and country.
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Family partnership
- Data-informed, compassion-driven practices
- Respect and transparency
Building Tomorrow Together
Work with us to shape policies, engage communities, and foster positive change for a brighter future to solve the attendance problem.
Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty
Founder
The journey to establishing Attendance USA was never certain. It began a few months after the launch of the International Network for School Attendance (INSA) in 2018. As a co-founder and one of the visionaries behind INSA, I was frequently asked, “What is the U.S. doing?” U.S. partners attending our conferences around the world, in countries like Norway, Australia, and the Netherlands inquired about forming a U.S. chapter.
Now, with nearly 20 country chapters established globally in places like France, Ireland, and Denmark, I felt it was time. The urgency grew after INSA held its first international conference in New Orleans in October 2024, where U.S.-based stakeholders strongly advocated for a national chapter.
Later that same year, encouraged by my colleagues such as James Taylor, Sharon Bradley, Patricia Graczyk, and Shelneka Adams Marsalone, and inspired by conversations with Hedy Chang, I embarked on the journey to officially establish Attendance USA.
Our Journey
Explore our transformative journey and milestones to reach our vision and mission.
Founding Idea gets a Boost
Our journey began with a vision from Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, and was jump started by conversations and support at the first US hosting of INSA in New Orleans, LA.
October 2024
Founding Members open Conversations
Founding members begin nationwide conversations that begin the definition of the Attendance USA mission, vision and values.
February 2025
Attendance USA Announces Conference
Indy to Host First-Ever National Conference on Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism, Centering Solutions and Family Voice.
April 2025
Attendance USA Website Launches
Official website goes live, offering access, insights, and resources to support attendance improvement nationwide. Signup for regular updates.
April 2025
Landmark State Attendance Bill Signed
Indiana Senate Bill 482 is signed by the Governor and becomes a model policy achievement aligning with Attendance USA mission to make student attendance a priority for each state. Hear our founder’s insights on its impact.
May 2025
First Annual Convening
This powerful event brings together 25 leading scholars, stakeholders, and practitioners to craft a manifesto and engage with stakeholders of all kinds to inform the work ahead. Read more here.
May 2025
Attendance USA Goes Global
Founder Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty and founding member Dr. Patricia Graczyk represented the U.S. at the Youth Mental Health Canada National Conference. They highlighted effective, school-wide strategies for supporting students facing chronic absenteeism, drawing on their extensive research and practical experience.
May 2025
Membership Outreach & Services Development
A future of progressive, innovative policies, and empowerment in schools to solve the attendance problem begins. All partners in attendance and absenteeism work are called to carry out the US Attendance Manifesto and join us in lending our collective voices to systematically address this crisis with emerging practices and interventions
June 2025 and beyond
Attendance Manifesto Releases
A first-of-its-kind US Attendance Manifesto sets the framework for all current and future work, informing our values, standards, and training vision. Available shortly.
August 2025
Our Partners
Our work would be incomplete without our partners. They make a world of difference.
Get in touch
Start a Conversation between Teams
Effect positive change by engaging our team with your team in solving your unique attendance problem.
