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It’s clear that today’s elevated levels of absenteeism can’t be reduced with one person or by assuming that things will return to normal. More schools than ever, especially elementary schools, are experiencing extreme levels of chronic absence (30% or more of their students are chronically absent). This is a new experience for most of these schools.
To turn things around, schools should determine how they can put in place a multi-tiered system of support that is built upon positive conditions for learning.
Districts must be positioned to help schools advance these types of systemic approaches with an emphasis on family engagement, school connectedness, health and community schools. This approach is especially needed in districts with a majority of students from economically challenged communities. Read about how to act with all-hands-on-deck in our second analysis of national data released by the U.S. Department of Education.
Schools and districts should develop attendance teams that include people with varying perspectives (e.g., instruction, student support, family engagement, data management, special education and Title I) from your community and that reflect your student demographics. Put a team in place now so you can take action during the remainder of the school year and integrate addressing chronic absence into your plan for school improvement for 2024-25.
During the Attendance is a Symptom episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Fullmind, I share how large and small districts can motivate kids to attend every day.
I’m grateful for the challenging work you do every day, and I continue to be impressed by your efforts to grapple with the after effects of the pandemic. Best wishes for a happy holiday filled with some down time, family and friends!
Warmly,
Hedy Chang
Founder and Executive Director
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