NOLA Schools Address Chronic Student Absence Policies
Families should monitor attendance closely as 850 students were removed from enrollment rolls last year for excessive absences.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Special Education
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NOLA Public Schools reported that 850 students were removed from enrollment rolls last school year after missing more than 15 consecutive days. This reflects ongoing efforts to manage chronic absenteeism, which affected 31% of students in the district.
Why it matters
Reducing chronic absenteeism is a primary focus for the district, which aims to improve student engagement and meet state-mandated enrollment requirements. Persistent absences significantly impact educational continuity and school funding logistics for local families.
Last school year, the district saw a daily attendance rate of 91.1%, a 0.2% increase from 90.9% the year prior. Despite this, 850 students were removed from rolls due to consecutive absences, while the ROSE program successfully helped 83 students re-enroll.
The players
NOLA Public Schools
The local public school district responsible for managing student attendance and enrollment for approximately 43,000 students.
Attendance Hearing Office
The district department that manages chronic absenteeism cases and develops personalized intervention plans for students.
ROSE program
A district initiative designed to help chronically absent students navigate the process of re-enrolling in school.
The details
Chronic absenteeism is officially defined as missing 10% or more of school days. To combat this, schools utilize a multi-step process involving phone calls, home visits, and parent conferences before referring students to the Attendance Hearing Office. This office develops personalized plans for students, though state law requires the district to remove students from rolls once they surpass 15 consecutive missed days.
Timeline
Last school year: 850 New Orleans students removed from attendance rolls.
2024-25 school year: More than 7,500 students removed from state attendance rolls.
This fall: Superintendent Fulmore stated a 95% attendance goal.
The Home Front
The district's attendance strategies operate within the bounds of Louisiana state law regarding consecutive school absence. These mandates reflect a broader, documented trend of districts working to curb chronic absenteeism to ensure consistent student learning outcomes.
Families should monitor their student's attendance records regularly to ensure they remain enrolled and in good standing with the district. If your student faces challenges attending school, contact the school office early to discuss personalized support plans before reaching the 15-day threshold.
The takeaway
Maintaining regular school attendance is essential for preventing involuntary removal from enrollment rolls under state law. Families should proactively communicate with school administrators at the first sign of consistent attendance difficulties to leverage available support programs.
Further reading
For more information on navigating student support services, visit the Special Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lens.
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