The attendance of students will be vital this month as state education officials look at future funding of local school systems.

Each year, attendance records are scrutinized, beginning on the Tuesday after Labor Day through the end of September.

Randall Little, superintendent of education for Escambia County Schools, said daily attendance is critical when it comes to maintaining or increasing state funding for the system.

“The second school month determines the attendance for the entire year,” Little said. “The attendance reports from that time determines how much we get from state funding.”

Little said the average for the 2011-12 school year was 4,520 and funding for this year was based on that figure.

“We certainly want to maintain the funds we are receiving and would like to see an increase,” Little said. “The funding we receive is a direct result of attendance of our students throughout the county. That’s why we urge daily attendance — especially during this critical period.”

Little said that regular daily attendance at school is imperative in order for a student to learn.

The period of record will continue through Sept. 28 for all Escambia County schools.