Statewide Attendance Dashboard, Chronic Absenteeism, and Weekly Data Updates

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin today announced the launch of Ohio's new Statewide Attendance Dashboard COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Statewide Attendance Dashboard is a newly launched public tool designed to provide weekly, transparent data to help Ohio schools and communities reduce chronic absenteeism. By tracking student attendance at the district, building, and grade levels, the dashboard enables local leaders to identify trends and intervene before students fall behind academically. Governor Mike DeWine and Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin introduced the initiative to encourage family engagement and accountability across all Ohio school districts. How the Statewide Attendance Dashboard Tracks Student Progress The Statewide Attendance Dashboard, accessible at Attendance.Ohio.gov , represents a significant leap in data transparency for Northeast Ohio and the entire state. Ohio is reportedly only the second state in the nation to provide attendance updates on a weekly basis. The tool categorizes students into four tiers based on hours missed: Satisfactory (less than 5%), At-Risk (5–10%), Moderate Chronic Absence (10–20%), and Severe Chronic Absence (over 20%). This granular view allows educators and parents to monitor patterns and take corrective action early in the school year. Addressing the Crisis of Chronic Absenteeism in Ohio Schools During his recent State of the State Address, Governor DeWine noted that over 25% of Ohio students were chronically absent last year, with rates nearing 50% in major urban centers. A student is considered chronically absent in Ohio when they miss 10% or more of required school hours for any reason. The impact of these absences is severe; data shows that students with consistent attendance are 12 times more likely to graduate on time and significantly more likely to reach proficiency benchmarks in reading and math. Community Partnerships and Data Integration The development of the Statewide Attendance Dashboard was a collaborative effort involving the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network. The public and local school officials can watch the full launch ceremony and demonstration on The Ohio Channel. While many districts already live on the site, others are currently working with third-party vendors and the Management Council's Information Technology Centers to format their data. Governor DeWine urged all districts and communities to use the dashboard proactively, stating that improving attendance is a shared responsibility between schools, families, and local organizations.