Toward
Inclusive Attendance
in New Mexico
Supporting educational access, learning continuity and appropriate attendance responses for New Mexico students when absences aren't a choice.
Attendance Matters | Learning Matters
When medical necessity or disability circumstances make absences unavoidable, our system should help students continue learning and remain connected to school.
There are 2 systems that aren't connected - yet:
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Attendance for Success's framework
- - and - -
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Individualized accommodations (IEPs, Section 504)
They already share a common goal:
Helping students stay connected to learning and supported in school.
Most people assume these non-optional absences are already addressed in the attendance law.
We did too.
But it isn't - yet.
Many families and educators are now discovering there is not clear guidance for how schools should respond to unavoidable absences within the chronic absenteeism intervention system.
What if ... physical absence didn't always mean learning stops?
NOW: system doesn't ask if education can continue through challenges
What if ... medically complex students stayed connected to learning during absences?
NOW: system doesn't recognize alternative educational participation
What if ... absence did not mean disconnection?
NOW: Many medically complex students have individualized accommodations but fall into automated attendance response systems. When learning continuity is happening, the system is ignoring it.
What if ... keeping students learning mattered more?
NOW: Attendance systems track physical presence, but don't consider educational continuity.
What if ... attendance systems and accessibility were designed to work together?
NOW: Attendance system does not consider disability-caused absences or individualized accommodations.
Learners deserve
educational
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continuity,
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connection and
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support.
Students with medically necessary or disability-related absences should first be recognized as learners.
Where the Disconnect Happens
Understanding the Problem:
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Two parallel systems
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Headed in the same direction
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Missing an integration mechanism
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Attendance systems track chronic absence “for any reason.”
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Disability and medical protections focus on educational access and continuity.
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Schools are often left without clear guidance for how these systems should work together during unavoidable or necessary absences.
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Attendance patterns should be recognized in the system as key indicators to look further for areas of potential improvements - both for schools and families or students.
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How students are categorized within attendance systems can influence relationships and expectations before meaningful understanding develops.
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This issue is not about permitting or excepting these absences - It is about prioritizing continuity of educational access and participation for all learners.
Events
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May 2026
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Updates & Information
Source Information
Attendance for Success Act
New Mexico public school attendance data dashboard
LESC: 2026 Committee Endorsed Legislative Proposals
National absenteeism policy research and recommendations - Attendance Works page: Attendance and the link with health concerns
National policy research: National Center on Educational Outcomes (NECO) issue brief with guidance on laws for students with disabilities
Who's Behind Inclusive Attendance NM and Why
This site was created by Sarah, a parent of a student with complex needs, as a way of reaching New Mexico families also experiencing challenges from the current attendance law.
The site is a compilation of events, issue updates, links to references, research, opinions, and ideas. The hope is to serve as a community catalyst to foster positive change for students with unique challenges and their families.
I welcome your feedback and thoughts.
Thank you for visiting!
INSIGHTS
Updates
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Engagement
We encourage families to participate in discussions and share their own stories to advance inclusive attendance policy in New Mexico.
Resources
Our site links to valuable external resources that help families navigate attendance policies effectively.