In March, AASD Superintendent Greg Hartjes and our Secondary Attendance Coordinator, Stephanie Marta, presented at an Appleton Common Council meeting to ask the City to support us in our efforts to get students to attend school more consistently at the high school level. View the video here. View the presentation here. 

The Common Council referred this topic to the Safety & Licensing Committee, which conflicted with the AASD’s Spring Break, so no District representatives attended the meeting. The next time the Council will discuss this will be on May 14, 2025, during another Safety & Licensing Committee meeting. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for AASD Families

Why is the AASD asking the City of Appleton for help with high school students who are chronically absent and habitually truant? 
We know that students who miss significant amounts of school time struggle to learn and grow academically, pass classes, and ultimately graduate. This lack of successful outcomes for many students is why we are asking for the City’s help.   

My student is sick occasionally, and sometimes we run late, how will this affect my family?
If you notify your student’s school about an absence, it will be marked as excused—unless your student has already missed 10 days. After 10 total absences, any additional days may require a medical note to be excused.

Only unexcused absences count toward truancy. Habitual truancy is met when all or part of 5 days are unexcused in one semester. We are seeking a truancy citation due to very high (50+ days) unexcused absences at our high schools.

Everyone in our community can agree that students succeed when they attend school consistently. However, we know life happens—kids get sick, cars break down, alarm clocks fail, and Wisconsin winters happen. These are not the types of attendance issues that we are most concerned with.

We know most of our families and students make every effort to attend school or to get their students to school. We know that our students and families may have challenges outside of school, challenges with mental health, with transportation, and with chronic health issues. We typically find success when supporting families to address these concerns. 

We routinely help families and students who struggle with these issues, and we strongly encourage families to reach out to their school’s social worker, school counselor, school psychologist, or other trusted adult for help. We want what you want: your student(s) to be in school and to be successful.

Despite extensive resources and support systems, we are still unable to reach all students, particularly at the high school level. At each of our three high schools, nearly 100 students have already missed over 50 days this school year. While we operate within district policies and guidelines, some barriers extend beyond what we can address alone. Truancy is a complex issue with multiple layers, causes, and challenges, and we are committed to working collaboratively with our community to find meaningful solutions.

If I routinely receive attendance letters, could my student automatically receive a truancy citation?
Citations would not be automatically triggered or generated—they would only be considered as a last resort after all other supports have been fully exhausted. Our approach would prioritize multiple layers of intervention at the school level and, in some cases, within the community, before a citation is even considered. 

We would also recognize and honor any signs of progress, even small improvements like increased attendance, before considering a truancy citation. Additionally, AASD recommends that students would have the opportunity to have a citation expunged by participating in alternative pathways, such as a mentorship program with a community service component, or by re-engaging with school and demonstrating consistent attendance.

Does the AASD want to reinstate/bring back the truancy court that was in place prior to 2019?
No. 

Can you share how we got here?
Before 2019, Appleton enforced a local truancy ordinance. Initially, habitual truancy cases were managed at the courthouse, but in 2008, the responsibility shifted to the schools. However, in 2019, the district decided to eliminate truancy court within the schools, and the Appleton Common Council subsequently repealed the ordinance. 

Since then, we have experienced a worldwide pandemic that has had a massive impact on the routine and expectation of consistent school attendance. Over the past five years, the AASD has continually added support for students who are struggling with consistent attendance. During this time, we have added two full-time School Social Workers as Attendance Coordinators and seven part-time positions. We have continued to expand support to encourage attendance in response. 

Despite these extensive resources and supports, we are still not reaching some students, especially at the high school level.  While we work within our district policies and guidelines, these barriers extend beyond what we can address alone. We know this is a complex issue, and we are committed to working with our community to find solutions.

During the 2023-24 school year, the AASD formed a committee made up of parents, community members, and staff to explore possible solutions. This committee ended their work with four recommendations, with the highest priority recommendation being the addition of a City ordinance that would enforce the State law regarding truancy.  

What do other larger cities in Wisconsin do?
They have ordinances in their municipal code that include the state statute but are enforced locally. Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, Eau Claire, Janesville, La Crosse, Sheboygan, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Fond du Lac. This, or something similar, is what we are asking for.

What about our surrounding area?
Hortonville, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Neenah, Menasha, and Oshkosh all have truancy included in their municipal code.

What is the definition of habitual truancy?
The Wisconsin State Legislature defines truancy as “missing all or part of five or more days in a semester without an acceptable excuse.”

What is chronic absenteeism?
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of total school days, whether excused or unexcused. 10% is about 18 days throughout the school year, or 2 days per month. This level of absence has a significant negative impact on student success.

What is the purpose of truancy laws?
Since regularly missing school has a significant impact on student achievement and positive youth development, truancy laws aim to deter students from skipping school, encourage students to attend, and encourage caregivers to get their kids to school. The hope is to ultimately increase graduation rates, improve the workforce, build community, support well-being, reduce the risk of negative outcomes, and increase protective factors and successful outcomes.

What steps has the District taken to address attendance concerns?
Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, much of our time and energy was focused on increasing student attendance following the pandemic. We worked to strengthen school attendance teams, ensuring that they met regularly to review attendance data and to direct resources toward specific students and families that needed additional support with transportation struggles, mental health challenges, and social or academic barriers.

The District continues to commit additional resources to this urgent concern. We’ve added staff focused on attendance and expanded our work with community partners such as the Boys & Girls Club and their TRAC and STAR programs, Outagamie County, and mental health providers.

Despite this work, attendance challenges have continued. This trend is echoed nationwide and is being seen at all levels, 4K-12. Attendance has always been a focus for our staff, however, the pandemic and the years following have shown unprecedented levels of absenteeism. 

Before the pandemic, some students did have attendance concerns, however, they were at a level that is not comparable to current levels. Levels have more than doubled in Appleton and across the country. When a student misses school, they miss valuable classroom instructional time. Students who struggle with attendance often fall behind academically. 

We believe that school attendance is a responsibility shared by students, parents, schools, and our community, and we look forward to continuing to partner with our families and community to support those efforts.

What are concrete ways we currently support our students and families with attendance?
The AASD has built up and built out our attendance support system within the District. We recognize that absenteeism often stems from underlying challenges, and we back our commitments with action in the form of wide-ranging attendance supports integrated into every school at every level. 

• We are the only district in the state of Wisconsin with multiple, full-time School Social Workers as Attendance Coordinators. 
• We have adapted our communication with families to be clear and consistent regarding schedules and expectations. When a student's attendance reaches a concerning level, families are promptly notified. 
• Additionally, there is personalized communication with families when students are absent.
• We have formed essential partnerships and increased our community collaboration by working with various community agencies. 
  • Notably, the Boys & Girls Club supports initiatives like TRAC (Truancy Reduction & Assessment Center) and STAR (Scholars on Target to Achieve Results), which aim to reduce truancy and support student success. 
  • The United Way also partners through PATH (Providing Access to Healing), which helps provide mental health support for students in need.
• We want students to be excited about coming to school. We’re working on that through:
  • Helping them feel a strong sense of belonging and support, paired with intentional community-building activities in the classroom. 
  • Ensuring students have learning opportunities, they are excited to engage with through relevant curriculum. 
• Attendance Teams at all schools meet weekly or biweekly to review attendance data, identify students who may benefit from additional support, monitor the progress of current attendance plans, and collaboratively problem-solve attendance-related concerns. These teams typically include the attendance coordinator, school administrator, dean, school social worker, school nurse, school counselor, and youth advocate—though team composition may vary slightly depending on the school site.
• Students are encouraged to build connections with caring adults at school. Along with our District Attendance Coordinators, who support either the elementary or secondary level,  our schools have Dean of Students, school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, youth advocates, administrators, classroom teachers, coaches and other staff who work to address barriers, come up with creative solutions, create connections with families and more. Fostering an environment that students want to be in is everyone’s responsibility in the AASD.

What does attendance-related support for students and families look like?
We have an expansive, tiered process that provides broad, foundational support for all students that covers a wide range of needs. 

• We focus on making sure every student feels welcome, connected, and engaged.
• Attendance is a regular topic of discussion and an important part of our school culture.
• Teachers take attendance accurately and consistently.
• Regular School Attendance Teams meet at each school at least every two weeks to review concerns and support students.
• Students are recognized for good or improved attendance.
• We work closely with families to provide education, support, and resources.
• Families receive attendance updates, including automatic electronic notices after 3 and 7 days of absences.

Additional, more targeted strategies (Tier 2) and supports are available for those who need extra assistance beyond the universal level. All supports are individualized based on the specific needs and barriers of each student/family.

• Transportation support, such as a "walking school bus", helps elementary students get to school safely.
• Families may receive attendance letters after 5 and 10 absences to keep families informed.
• Student Success Advisors, Coordinators, and Youth Advocates provide targeted support.
• Frequent check-ins with a trusted adult help students stay on track.
• Student success plans are created to support better attendance.
• Mentoring: A positive adult at school meets with students regularly to increase connection to school, set goals, discuss attendance, and support other aspects as needed. 
• Social Support Groups facilitated by a support staff team member provide additional support.
• Attendance incentives establish positive attendance habits/patterns by providing gift cards for achieved goals.
• Home visits to connect with families who are unable to be reached by phone or email and to provide more personalized support for students who are disengaged or not attending school.
• TRAC (Truancy Reduction & Assessment Center), through the Boys and Girls Club to promote school attendance and academic engagement by supporting youth with attendance challenges through timely, effective assessments and case management (available to middle and high school students).

This level (Tier 3) is reserved for a small percentage of students who are not making progress with the previous levels of support.

• Check & Connect: evidenced-based mentoring program designed to improve school attendance. Mentors receive specific training on this model. There are trained mentors in every school building.
• Additional mental health/social-emotional support in school (LYNC, school-based mental health, individual meetings with school social worker/school counselor/school psychologist).
• Alternate schedules and individualized plans for students who display school avoidance or school refusal.
• Frequent and scheduled home visits to collaborate with family.
• County truancy referral (ages 10-17) - partnership between school, family, and Youth & Family Services to address barriers to school attendance and provide support that schools do not have available. *During the 2023-2024 school year, a total of 116 county truancy referrals were made for middle and high school students, which is equivalent to only 4.9% of the students (2,371) who met the criteria for habitual truancy

Who sets attendance policies?
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) establishes the attendance rules and guidelines that districts must follow. Schools and districts are required to implement these policies, but they do not create them. If you have feedback on state attendance laws, we encourage you to contact your local legislators.

Why do we send attendance letters?
Families are not always aware when their child is missing school, particularly at the high school level - this is one way to ensure that families are informed of their child’s attendance. 

Why are the letters worded so strongly?
The language in attendance letters follows state guidelines and is not determined by individual schools. The intent is to inform families of the potential impacts of absences, not to threaten or punish. Schools recognize that some absences are unavoidable and will work with families on a case-by-case basis. Our ultimate goal is to partner with families to support positive school attendance.

My child was sick—why are we receiving these letters?
We understand that illnesses happen, and we encourage families to keep sick children home to prevent the spread of illness. Even when absences are excused, AASD notifies families when absences reach a certain level. When a student has reached 7 excused absences, unless a medical note has been provided, a letter is automatically generated and sent to families. This is one communication tool that the district uses to inform families of approaching attendance concerns.

Do I need a doctor’s note for every absence?
Per district policy, students are allowed up to 10 excused absences over the course of the school year. We realize that there are situations where a students’ absences may extend beyond that threshold. Schools work to partner with families in these situations. There are other circumstances where families would be required to provide a medical note once a student has exceeded 10 excused absences.. This is determined on a case-by-case basis. While medical notes are not always required, it is helpful to provide them to the school for appointments or extended absences - this allows for your child’s absence to be medically excused and will not count toward any attendance letters.

Do excused absences count toward truancy?
No, only unexcused absences count toward truancy. The state of Wisconsin defines habitual truancy as missing all or part of five days in a semester when an excuse has not been provided by the parent or guardian. This is why it is so important to always contact the school to report an absence for your child. 

Where would a truancy citation fit within our current system of supports?
A truancy citation would be used only as a last resort, after all available school and community interventions—such as referrals to support services like counseling, transportation assistance, or family outreach programs—have been exhausted. This approach ensures that students and families receive the necessary guidance, resources, and support to address underlying challenges and improve attendance before a truancy citation is considered.

Moving forward with a truancy-related ordinance does not mean that a ticket would automatically be issued. Instead, it provides an additional tool to support students who struggle with school attendance.

What if my child has a disability or is struggling with mental health, which impacts their attendance? 
The AASD has many different support options for students that can only be provided at school.  However, the district recognizes that each student has different needs. Students with disabilities or mental health challenges who are working with school personnel to address attendance concerns would not be considered for a truancy citation.

Why is school attendance so important?
There is a strong, positive relationship between school attendance and student success. The first step in achieving success is being present in school. Missing school leads to lost learning opportunities and negatively impacts academic growth.

How does this impact student success?

*The Academic Outcomes chart above represents Semester 2, 2023-24 data as habitual truancy data is tracked by semester, not by year.

How many students are affected by truancy and chronic absenteeism?

• 20.3% of our high school students (921 students) were both truant and chronically absent last year. While some of these students still succeed, others struggle.
• 811 students were both truant and chronically absent and were not on track to graduate. We have multiple support programs to help them catch up, including alternative programs, summer school, and partnerships with FVTC, the Boys & Girls Club, and Appleton Central Program.
• 293 high school students missed more than 50 days of school last year. It is extremely difficult to achieve success when missing this much school.

How does attendance impact future success?
Poor attendance can lead to lower academic achievement, increased dropout rates, and negative long-term outcomes. Studies show that students who do not graduate or have inadequate literacy skills face higher risks of future challenges, including the "school-to-prison pipeline."

Why is attending school so important for student well-being?
Schools provide critical support systems for students, including academic assistance, social interactions, and mental health resources. When students are at home, they often lack access to these supports.

What if my student doesn’t thrive in in-person schooling, and that is why they are struggling with attendance?
The AASD has multiple virtual schooling options. Appleton eSchool has flexible scheduling for secondary students, and Wisconsin Connections Academy is a free, public 4K-12 charter school that is fully virtual.

What can families do to help? Families can learn more here.

• Encourage daily attendance and communicate the importance of being in school.
• Work with the school if your child is experiencing difficulties that affect attendance.
• Utilize available district and community resources to support your child.
• Reach out to our attendance coordinators for assistance if needed.

How can schools better support families with attendance challenges?
We understand that each family’s situation is unique. If you’re facing challenges related to your child’s attendance, such as health issues or family emergencies, please contact your school. We want to partner with you to support your child’s success. Find tips for families here.

How do attendance policies relate to state funding?
School funding is related to student enrollment numbers, which are different than daily attendance. We encourage regular attendance as we know that it directly correlates to academic achievement; however, student attendance is not directly tied to state funding.