In an effort to improve attendance in schools, Elkhart County has joined the nationwide Attendance Awareness Campaign. They’ve created a local awareness campaign called Be Present, Be Your Future Today.

One in four Elkhart County students struggle with absenteeism which can affect important benchmarks including grade level reading and graduation rates.

So, school and community leaders are working to raise awareness about how much school missed is too much as well as resources to address barriers.

The Department of Education has set a goal that students attend at least 94 percent of school days, and Elkhart schools are working to achieve that.

Through billboards, posters, banners, mailers, yard signs and more, they are sharing the message that school attendance is important for success.