CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
SHOWING UP IS HALF THE BATTLE
Are you a chronic absentee? Do you skip school more often than you attend? Well, don't worry, because according to the Stephen Hawking, just showing up is half of the battle. So, if you show up for half of your classes, you're good to go!
But in all seriousness, chronic absenteeism is a real problem that affects millions of students and teachers across the country. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, it's only gotten worse. I mean, who wants to attend virtual classes all day when you could be binge-watching Netflix instead?
But let's not forget the consequences of chronic absenteeism. Lower achievement, disengagement, course failure, and dropping out of school are just a few of the outcomes. Plus, it can also affect your health, social skills, and emotional well-being. So, maybe it's time to put down the remote and pick up a textbook.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "But I have so many excuses for why I can't attend school!" Lack of access to technology, difficulty with online platforms, loss of motivation, increased stress and anxiety, family responsibilities, health concerns, economic hardships...the list goes on.
But here's the thing: chronic absenteeism not only affects students, but also teachers. They have to adapt to new modes of instruction and assessment, communicate with students and families, provide academic and social-emotional support, balance work and personal obligations, and cope with burnout and frustration.
So, what can we do to address chronic absenteeism during the pandemic? Well, schools need to adopt a comprehensive and collaborative approach that involves everyone - students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners. And maybe a little humor wouldn't hurt either.
For starters, let's provide clear and consistent expectations for attendance policies and procedures. And let's form an attendance team that monitors and analyzes attendance data regularly and accurately. Plus, let's intervene early and reach out to students and families who are at risk of chronic absenteeism.
But let's not forget about the positivity ratio. By creating a more positive school culture that fosters student interest and participation, we can help reduce chronic absenteeism. And let's offer flexible learning options that meet the needs and preferences of students.
Of course, we can't forget about providing access to technology, internet, devices, and technical support for remote learning. And let's provide academic and social-emotional interventions and supports for students who are struggling.
But let's also recognize and reward positive attendance behaviors and achievements. And let's provide professional development and wellness resources for teachers who are facing challenges.
And last but not least, let's build positive relationships and communication among students, families, teachers, and school staff. And let's collaborate with community partners who can provide additional services and supports.
In conclusion, chronic absenteeism is a complex problem that requires a holistic and coordinated response. But with a little humor and a lot of collaboration, we can help ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive during the pandemic and beyond. So, put down the remote and pick up a textbook...or at least show up for half of your classes!
Education dilemma: Why are kids (and teachers) missing so much school? https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/education/2023/06/12/why-students-teachers-miss-so-much-school/70258140007/
How to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
Chronic absenteeism is a serious problem that affects millions of students and teachers across the country. It is defined as missing at least 10% of school days in a year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences¹⁴. Chronic absenteeism is linked to lower achievement, disengagement, course failure, and dropping out of school¹². It can also affect students' health, social skills, and emotional well-being⁶.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made chronic absenteeism even worse, as many schools have shifted to remote or hybrid learning models. The U.S. Department of Education released the first set of national data on school attendance during the pandemic in April 2021, but more schools skipped the attendance question than any other question on the federal survey³. This suggests that tracking and reporting attendance during the pandemic has been challenging and inconsistent.
Some of the factors that may contribute to chronic absenteeism
There are many factors that may cause students to miss school, especially during the pandemic. Some of them are:
- - Lack of access to technology, internet, or devices for remote learning
- - Difficulty with online platforms or applications
- - Loss of motivation or engagement with virtual instruction
- - Increased stress, anxiety, or depression due to isolation, trauma, or loss
- - Family responsibilities, such as caring for siblings or relatives
- - Health concerns, such as illness, exposure, or quarantine
- - Economic hardships, such as unemployment, food insecurity, or housing instability
These factors may vary depending on the student's age, grade level, background, and individual circumstances. For example, younger students may need more parental support and supervision for remote learning, while older students may face more peer pressure and social challenges. Students with disabilities, English learners, homeless students, and foster youth may also face additional barriers to attendance.
How chronic absenteeism affects students and teachers
Chronic absenteeism can have negative consequences for both students and teachers. For students, missing school can lead to:
- - Gaps in learning and skill development
- - Lower test scores and grades
- - Reduced academic confidence and self-esteem
- - Less participation and interaction with peers and teachers
- - Increased risk of dropping out of school
- - Poorer health outcomes and quality of life
- For teachers, dealing with chronic absenteeism can lead to:
- - Difficulty planning and delivering effective instruction
- - More time and effort spent on catching up absent students
- - Less feedback and communication with students and families
- - Lower morale and satisfaction with teaching
- - Higher stress and burnout levels
Some of the strategies that may help reduce chronic absenteeism
To address chronic absenteeism during the pandemic, schools need to adopt a comprehensive and collaborative approach that involves students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners. Some of the strategies that may help reduce chronic absenteeism include:
- - Providing clear and consistent expectations and guidance for attendance policies and procedures¹⁵
- - Forming an attendance team that monitors and analyzes attendance data regularly and accurately¹⁵
- - Intervening early and reaching out to students and families who are at risk of chronic absenteeism¹⁵
- - Tracking the positivity ratio and creating a more positive school culture that fosters student interest and participation¹⁵
- - Offering flexible and personalized learning options that meet the needs and preferences of students³⁶
- - Providing access to technology, internet, devices, and technical support for remote learning³⁶
- - Providing academic and social-emotional interventions and supports for students who are struggling³⁶
- - Recognizing and rewarding positive attendance behaviors and achievements⁴⁵
- - Providing professional development and wellness resources for teachers who are facing challenges³⁶
- - Building positive relationships and communication among students, families, teachers, and school staff³⁶
- - Collaborating with community partners who can provide additional services and supports²
These strategies may require different levels of resources and coordination depending on the school context and the student population. Schools should also monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies and make adjustments as needed.
Chronic absenteeism is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a holistic and coordinated response. By working together, schools can help ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive during the pandemic and beyond.
(1) Understanding Chronic Absenteeism | American Federation of Teachers. https://www.aft.org/ae/winter2019-2020/marsh.
(2) Chronic absenteeism | American Federation of Teachers. https://www.aft.org/childrens-health-safety-and-well-being/childrens-access-care/chronic-absenteeism.
(3) CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IN THE NATION'S SCHOOLS. https://www2.ed.gov/datastory/chronicabsenteeism.html.
(4) The Link Between School Attendance and Good Health. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/143/2/e20183648/37326/The-Link-Between-School-Attendance-and-Good-Health.
(5) New Data Reveals School Attendance Numbers During The Pandemic. https://www.npr.org/2021/04/07/985128487/new-data-reveals-school-attendance-numbers-during-the-pandemic.
(6) School Attendance, Truancy & Chronic Absenteeism: What Parents Need to .... https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/School-Attendance-Truancy-Chronic-Absenteeism.aspx.
Bing, 6/13/2023