---
title: "School Attendance Challenges"
description: "YMHC provided the first nation-wide research on School Attendance Challenges and chronic absenteeism with a survey that was launched in 2019."
url: https://ymhc.ngo/resources/school-attendance-challenges/
---

![A student reading in front of school lockers](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/support-pathways.BVBWbn06_eSQWJ.webp)

# School Attendance Challenges

**Addressing Barriers to Education with Tiered School-Wide Strategies**

YMHC provided the first nation-wide research on School Attendance Challenges and chronic absenteeism with a survey that was launched in 2019. YMHC will be providing a follow-up to the first survey with a post-COVID school attendance challenges survey led by a team of professionals, students, families, and community members.

[School Attendance Challenges Website](https://sac.ymhc.ngo/) [Resources by tier](https://ymhc.ngo/resources/tiers/)

## Where to start

-   ![](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/school-attendance-challenges.YugCfe2-_2fHGRL.webp)
    
    ### Support Pathways for Families and Schools
    
    Provides practical guidance to help families and educators recognize warning signs, understand barriers to education, and take coordinated steps to support students.
    
    [Learn More](https://sac.ymhc.ngo/docs/sac/shared-commitment)
    
-   ![](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/families.Br1OOtM0_Z24AX0m.webp)
    
    ### Checklists for Families
    
    Do you think your child has school attendance challenges? Try to understand their warning signs, symptoms, and barriers to education and learning.
    
    [Open the checklists](https://sac.ymhc.ngo/docs/sac/families)
    
-   ![](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/schools.D1hBRt5M_Z1euzL.webp)
    
    ### Checklists for Schools
    
    Do you think your student has school attendance challenges? Try to understand their warning signs, symptoms, and barriers to education and learning.
    
    [Open the checklists](https://sac.ymhc.ngo/docs/sac/schools)
    
-   ![](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/national-survey.B59QBZdR_2z7rg.webp)
    
    ### YMHC National SAC Survey and Research Evidence
    
    Presents findings from YMHC's national School Attendance Challenges survey and research to increase awareness of school attendance challenges and inform better policies and practices.
    
    [Read the Survey](https://sac.ymhc.ngo/docs/survey/introduction)
    
-   ![](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/stories.IoWsKtVL_Z1CjYvc.webp)
    
    ### Stories of School Attendance Challenges
    
    Representing the experiences of over 519 families with youth aged 10 years old and up, we tell the stories of School Attendance Challenges and chronic absenteeism across Canada.
    
    [Visit the Story Wall](https://sac.ymhc.ngo/stories)
    
-   ![](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/resources-training.BaQ76UMz_Z2b6yq9.webp)
    
    ### [Resources, Training, and Educational Tools](https://ymhc.ngo/resources/tiers/)
    
    Offers tiered resources, workbooks, workshops, and online courses that help schools and communities implement practical strategies to support student well-being and attendance.
    
    [Resources by tier](https://ymhc.ngo/resources/tiers/)