For students across the United States, chronic absenteeism is a significant problem that can lead to poor academic performance, dropping out of school, and lack of success in college and/or the workplace. Although schools implement a wide range of interventions to promote school attendance, some students continue to be absent from school. This paper examines the national problem of chronic absenteeism and the problem at two schools (one middle and one secondary) in the western region of North Carolina. We recommend the implementation of evidence-based mentoring practices adapted from the mentoring program Check & Connect™, including personalized academic interventions and relationship-building between students and adults to increase student engagement. Analyses suggest that the applied mentoring program may, indeed, improve attendance for students considered chronically absent and, in addition, may improve their academic performance and reduce discipline referrals
