Best Practices of Principals to Increase Attendance in Low-Socioeconomic Status Rural High Schools

Securing attendance is challenging at rural high schools with a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic (low-SES) households. Best practices of principals to achieve high annual attendance rates (> 90%) were studied. Interviews were held with principals from 8 of 12 high schools across rural West Virginia that met the eligibility criterion of 100% enrollment of low-SES students. Six best practices emerged. Rural schools striving to increase attendance could reduce student absenteeism by implementing best practices suggested.