This paper reports on a field research project designed to provide staff members of one particular Texas middle school the knowledge and ability to affect student attendance. The purpose of the field research was to identify effective strategies, led by site-based management teams, to enhance student attendance. Data were collected from a review of the literature, observations of the leadership practices of the school's principal, a survey of students who had six or more absences, and a survey of teachers. (The observation instrument, called a "shadow chart," and the two survey instruments, along with the results of the surveys, are appended to the report.) The results from the student survey indicate that students missed school for many different reasons, all of which suggest the need for various strategies and approaches to correct the problem of absenteeism. The results from the teacher survey show that teachers have a high interest and enthusiasm in improving the attendance of their students, that school climate plays a vital role in improving student attendance, and that teachers were not aware of the most effective strategies for reducing student absences. (Contains 34 references.) (WFA)