After spiking to 28% during the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has yet to decline to pre-pandemic levels. School leaders across the country are then pressured to solve this issue, with various plans being implemented—some of which became successful, and some of which were lacking.
The reasons why a student is chronically absent from school can vary from health conditions to transportation barriers and sometimes challenges within the home. While each student may benefit from having an individualized plan in place to return to the classroom, there are a few ways that schools can address absenteeism that can help all struggling students.
A Proactive Approach to Chronic Absenteeism
In many cases, proactivity is one of the best courses of action against an issue, and that is also true for chronic absenteeism. Once students give up on attendance, it’s extremely difficult to bring them back, so principals can benefit from training their teachers on how to identify early signs of chronic absenteeism. These signs can include:
- Frequent absences, even if not consecutive
- Frequent tardiness
- Partial absences within the same day
- Incomplete assignments or avoidance altogether
- Withdrawal from group activities
- Unresponsive families with vague excuses
With so many possible signs of chronic absenteeism, design an early warning system (EWS) to keep track of attendance, grades, and behavior.
It is worth noting that research from Indiana University found that an EWS from an unnamed school district saw the most improvements with students from higher incomes, meanwhile, there was no significant impact for low-income students. With this in mind, it’s important for schools to design their EWS with provisions for low-income students. Schools must ensure these students aren’t falling through the cracks and that the strategy to combat absenteeism is done so with equity in mind.
“In the end, an early warning system for student absenteeism is only as good as the interventions that follow.”
Incentivizing Attendance
When students at risk for chronic absenteeism are identified, schools can then try new methods of encouraging them back into the classroom. Incentivizing attendance is one tool that acts as strong encouragement.
Incentives act as positive reinforcement for the desired behavior of attending school. Through incentive programs, students are recognized for their efforts to attend school despite obstacles in their path, so they are then encouraged to keep returning.
The structure of incentive programs can vary by grade, with shorter-term goals for younger students. Older students may work better with long-term goals, but some students at high risk of chronic absenteeism may need a more individualized plan.
There are a variety of fun incentives that can encourage students to attend school. Rewards can start small with snacks, and group rewards can include pizza parties. Larger rewards can offer field trips or tickets to fun, local events.
The Impact of Community Partners
As it’s usually the outside-of-school factors that are influencing chronic absenteeism, schools have to look beyond their campus for helpful strategies. Collaborations with local organizations can address barriers to education that schools cannot.
Here are just a few examples:
- Transportation Services: Some students may miss class due to unreliable transportation. School bus schedules may not work for them, or they may not have a vehicle of their own or someone to drive them regularly. Transit professionals and rideshare programs can provide either free or discounted transport for students.
- Social Workers: Social service agencies can connect with families to address resources such as housing or necessary medical care. Schools can hold regular meetings with these caseworkers to understand the full picture of the student’s situation and how they can create an individualized plan for the student.
- Nonprofits: Researchnonprofits in the area that can provide extra support for families facing obstacles that are affecting student attendance. Some nonprofits offer support regarding childcare, food, and sometimes financial assistance.
Breaking Barriers
Chronic absenteeism remains a pressing issue for schools, demanding inclusive solutions to ensure all students have equal opportunities for success. By adopting proactive and equitable strategies, incentive programs, and collaboration with local organizations, school leaders can create a supportive environment that fosters consistent attendance and long-term academic success.
