Governor Stein Proclaims Attendance Awareness Month

Attendance Awareness Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, education is the foundation of a strong and prosperous North Carolina, and consistent attendance is essential to academic achievement and future opportunity; and

Whereas, chronic absenteeism – defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year for any reason – is a significant challenge in our public schools; and during the 2023–2024 school year, one in four K–12 students in North Carolina were chronically absent; and

Whereas, regular attendance supports strong academic progress and achievement while also reducing the risk of dropout; and

Whereas, persistent student absences place additional burdens on teachers, who must reteach lessons, adjust pacing, and provide extra support to ensure that no student falls behind – undermining instructional effectiveness and increasing workload stress; and

Whereas, students and families are more likely to show up and engage when there are positive conditions for learning at school, including physical and emotional health and safety, a sense of connection and support, academic support and engagement, and caring adults; and

Whereas, addressing chronic absenteeism requires collaboration among schools, families, community organizations, and business partners to overcome barriers such as transportation gaps, physical and mental health challenges, housing instability, and student disengagement, all while building strong and trusting relationships; and

Whereas, the month of August marks the beginning of the academic year and presents an opportunity to raise public awareness, rally support for students, teachers, and families, and recommit to strategies that promote attendance, engagement, and achievement;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 2025 as “Attendance Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-fifth day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.