Discover the latest attendance-related news in Arizona

While EveryDay Labs works districtwide with Tempe Elementary, and has seen chronic absenteeism drop by 15% since the beginning of the partnership, Thew Elementary was facing some particularly challenging numbers. Serving 442 students in Tempe, Arizona, Thew began the school year with a 39% chronic absenteeism rate. After a school year packed with a sharp focus on attendance and fun incentives, they saw a 17% drop in chronic absenteeism, while simultaneously boosting their Average Daily Attendance (ADA) by 3%. How did they do it? Read on for the details! 

On August 27, 2025, over 70 educators, researchers, community leaders, and district administrators from across Arizona gathered for the state’s Attendance Summit, hosted by EveryDay Labs in collaboration with Read On Arizona and WestEd.

Located in the heart of Arizona, Tempe Elementary Schools has been serving its community for over 150 years. The district supports a diverse population of more than 10,000 students across preschool through 8th grade. In recent years, like many districts nationwide, Tempe faced challenges with rising chronic absenteeism. Leading the district’s efforts to address this issue is Cindy Denton, Chief Technology, Innovation and Imagination Officer. A passionate and hands-on leader, Cindy has played a key role in driving positive change and strengthening attendance supports across the district.