The problem addressed in this study is that chronic absenteeism of special education students impacts school performance, graduation rates, and future employment opportunities. The purpose of the phenomenological study was to document the lived experiences of parents of high school special education students as chronic absenteeism of their special education students affects students' academic performance, graduation rates and future employment prospects. The sample was 10 parents/guardians of special educations students in a high school in a southern coastal state. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. The findings from research question one revealed that parents make sure that their SE children only missed school due to important factors such as sickness and special events. Also, several parents felt that their SE students follow the rules they learned at home and apply the same rules at school by attending school all day. The parents noted that being in school helps to prepare their SE students for employment in the workforce or for post-secondary education. The participants reported that parents have the responsibility to teach their SE children the importance of going to school each day and apply themselves on completing their assignments on time and doing their best in school. Also, parents should help prepare their SE children for the workforce after completing high school. The participants noted that the school district needs to provide wellness checks on all SE children and parents to reduce chronic absenteeism. Conclusions from this study are that the parents who were interviewed took steps to see that their SE students did not experience chronic absenteeism, but they felt that not all parents of SE students in the school district did the same for their students. Thus, findings from this study may not be typical of all parents of SE students. More research needs to be conducted on this topic to gather further data to help school administration to slow the rate of chronic absenteeism of SE students at this study site and across the U.S. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]