The purpose of my study is to examine the attitudes that underserved students have towards chronic absenteeism and how it relates to academic outcomes and achievement. Hillcrest Academy North defines academic achievement as outcomes that indicate the extent to which a student has achieved their learning goals and is measured by assessment given throughout the school year. As school administrators and policy makers we want underserved students who are chronically absent from school to improve their everyday attendance as a first step to improving academic and social-emotional outcomes. [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.]