This article addresses an analysis of current literature on employee and student absenteeism and seeks to provide key recommendations that may yield higher levels of attendance and student achievement in urban school districts. It hones on the idea that educational leaders must be cognizant of the factors relating to absenteeism and its cost to the educational community at large. Additionally, examples of employee incentives and elements of effect student truancy plans are recommended that may aide in curtailing student and teacher absenteeism rate for the district.