---
title: Attention rules
category: reporting
order: 2
lastUpdated: 2026-06-07
featureAvailability: GA
roles: [admin, district-admin]
navigationPath: Administration → Attention rules
dataSourceTables: [attention_rules, attention_flags, students]
serverFunctions: [evaluateAttentionRules]
viewRoles: [admin, district-admin]
editRoles: [admin]
inAppNotifications: [attention-flag-raised]
auditActions: [attention_rule.created, attention_rule.updated, attention_rule.deleted]
relatedArticles: [reporting/district-admin-quick-start, teacher-portal/teacher-dashboard]
---

## Purpose

Configure rules that flag students who may need a coaching case, before someone has to manually refer them.

## How rules work

An attention rule has four parts:

1. **Trigger** — what to watch for (absences, behavior referrals, grade drop, missing assignments).
2. **Threshold** — how much is enough (e.g. 3 in a week).
3. **Window** — over what time period.
4. **Notify** — who is told (facilitator, teacher, both).

Rules evaluate nightly. Flags appear on:

- The teacher dashboard for affected students.
- The "Attention" widget on the facilitator inbox.
- The admin "Flag activity" report.

## Default rules to enable on day one

- **3+ unexcused absences in 5 school days** — attendance.
- **2+ behavior referrals in 10 school days** — behavior.
- **Grade drop of 15+ points in any class in 14 days** — academic.

Start with these, watch the flag volume for a week, and adjust thresholds to match what your staff can actually triage.

## Creating a rule

1. **Administration → Attention rules → New rule**.
2. Name it descriptively ("Tier 2 attendance flag").
3. Pick trigger, threshold, window.
4. Choose who is notified.
5. Optionally restrict to grade levels or schools.
6. Save → enable.

[SCREENSHOT: attention-rules-editor]
_Administration → Attention rules editor with the "3+ absences in a week" rule configured, threshold and notification recipients visible._

## FAQ

**Can a flag automatically open a case?**
No, by design. Flags require a human triage step to avoid auto-creating cases that don't fit the student's context.

**Can teachers configure their own rules?**
No — only admins. Teachers receive flag notifications for their students.

**How is "school day" defined?**
By your org's calendar (set in **Administration → Calendar**). Weekends and holidays don't count.

## Related

- [District Administrator Quick Start](/help/reporting/district-admin-quick-start)
- [Teacher dashboard](/help/teacher-portal/teacher-dashboard)