Executive Proclamation
Office of the Governor
State of South Dakota
WHEREAS, good attendance is essential to student achievement and graduation, and South Dakota is committed to reducing chronic absenteeism rates; and
WHEREAS, chronic absence - missing 10 percent or more of school or just 2 or 3 days a month - is a proven predictor of academic trouble and dropout rates; and
WHEREAS, the impact of chronic absence affects low-income students who are more likely to face systemic barriers in getting to school – such as unreliable transportation, lack of access to health care, unstable or unaffordable housing; and
WHEREAS, improving attendance and reducing chronic absence takes commitment, collaboration, and approaches tailored to challenges and strengths in each community; and
WHEREAS, chronic absence can be significantly reduced when schools, parents, and communities work together to monitor and promote good attendance and address hurdles that keep children from getting to school:
Now, Therefore, I, Kristi Noem, Governor of the State of South Dakota, do hereby proclaim September 2021, as
Attendance Awareness Month
in South Dakota.
