One of the most important lessons we can teach our children requires no special talent: show up, and show up on time.
New research from McMaster University should get our attention. A large Canadian study found that chronic absenteeism among kindergarten students—defined as missing more than 10% of the school year—rose from approximately 18% before the pandemic to more than 41% afterward. The research included more than 500,000 kindergarten students across eight provinces and territories.
That is more than a statistic. Researchers note that absenteeism has long been associated with developmental vulnerabilities and is an early risk factor for academic difficulty, mental-health challenges and school dropout. McMaster researchers warn that primary teachers are now teaching classes in which almost half of students may have missed roughly a month of kindergarten learning.
If we want to prepare students for life, attendance needs to be part of the conversation.
I believe in a simple principle: if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
School boards should consistently measure attendance, identify concerning trends early and evaluate whether the supports being provided are producing results.
This isn’t about blaming families or penalizing children. There are legitimate reasons students miss school, and some families require additional support. It’s about recognizing that attendance itself is important.
Showing up is also a life skill. Whether you’re attending university, learning a trade, joining a team or beginning your first job, reliability matters.
It takes no talent to show up. It takes commitment to show up consistently and on time.
If we’re serious about preparing students for life, that’s a lesson worth teaching.