Every student absence jeopardizes the ability of students to succeed at school and schools to achieve their mission. Students who are not at school cannot receive instruction. Schools funded on the basis of average daily attendance have less resources to do the job. Some youngsters who are truant from school engage in behaviors that are illegal. The correlates of school attendance problems go on and on. Reducing school absences is one of the most challenging matters facing schools. In addressing the problem, it is important to begin by exploring two questions: (1) What factors lead to student absences? and (2) How can schools more effectively address the problem? This brief provides a quick overview of issues related to school attendance problems and then frames directions for policy and practice. (Resources and references are included. Four appendixes include: (1) Examples of State and District Policies Related to Attendance; (2) Sampling of Truancy Programs; (3) Sampling of Transition Support Programs; and (4) About School Engagement Research.)