Education officials in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), Canada, are working to enhance student attendance by understanding the reasons behind school absences. Maribeth Rogers-Neale, director of English education, emphasized the importance of data collection in informing strategies to engage students. The current statistics reveal that 19% of students in the Public Schools Branch and 14% in the French-language school board are considered 'chronically absent,' having missed over 10% of class time. Education and Early Years Minister Robin Croucher highlighted the need to consider various factors affecting absenteeism to improve student engagement. The committee formed to tackle this issue is focusing on creating safe and welcoming environments rather than relying on punitive measures, acknowledging that students perform better when they feel a sense of belonging in their schools. Despite some progress, officials recognize that further efforts are necessary to continue improving attendance rates.