Absenteesim is extremely high in Washington, DC charter and public schools. Chronic absenteeism increases achievement gaps, because students from disadvantaged backgrounds with high absenteeism are more likely to fall behind academically. Absenteeism among young children drastically reduces the likelihood of achieving reading and math proficiency by third grade. If DC acts to improve early attendance at both DC charter schools and public schools, the city could see long-term educational and economic benefits in the form of increased graduation rates and lifetime earnings potential. Research shows that within DC's public charter schools: (1) One in thirteen students missed at least 20 unexcused days of school; (2) One in thirteen 3-5 year olds had at least 10 unexcused absences; (3) 14 percent of high school students had more than 20 unexcused absences; and (4) 30 percent of students missed more than 10 percent of school days for any reason.