School attendance problems are no longer a marginal issue; they have become a challenge affecting classrooms in nearly every country. This report synthesises evidence from the OECD Policy Survey on School Attendance Problems, literature and international large-scale assessments to give an account of key concepts, terminology and international trends, drivers and consequences of school absences. It also takes stock of policies and practices for supporting school attendance and distils key messages and policy pointers emerging from the evidence presented in the report.

The report will be of interest to policymakers, practitioners and researchers seeking to promote regular school attendance and strengthen support for students experiencing school attendance problems within their education systems.

The report proposes seven key policy pointers:

1. respond to the drivers of absence through multifaceted, supportive and integrated responses
2. develop strong relations and engagement in schools
3. build strong partnerships and a shared understanding and involvement with families and students
4. respond early and effectively before absences become entrenched
5. use enforcement carefully within a support framework
6. strengthen system and school capacity to act on attendance
7. improve evaluation and learning on attendance across the system.