All Articles Education Commentary Treating chronic absenteeism like a public health emergency

Treating chronic absenteeism like a public health emergency

"Treating chronic absenteeism as a public health emergency isn't just a metaphor – it's a call to action," writes Kara Stern of SchoolStatus.

4 min read

CommentaryEducation

Empty classroom in elementary school for article on chronic absenteeism

(Liam Norris via Getty Images)

A silent crisis known as chronic absenteeism is unfolding in our schools and is affecting millions of California students. The consequences of unchecked absenteeism are severe and far-reaching. It starts innocuously with a few missed days but can quickly spiral, decimating a child’s future prospects. When dropout rates increase and college readiness declines, the ripple effects impact entire communities.

SmartBrief Education Insights blurbTraditionally, students and their families are penalized when a student misses school, but this hasn’t resolved the issue and instead targets marginalized student groups. As the director of education and engagement at SchoolStatus and an educator with years of classroom and administrative experience, I propose a radical shift in our approach: treating chronic absenteeism as a public health emergency. 

Absenteeism: A public health emergency

The rise in social isolation, health concerns and economic hardships have dramatically increased the number of students consistently missing school nationwide. In California, we are seeing consistent, distressing, high chronic absence rates, particularly among high-schoolers and historically marginalized populations.

We can’t simply discipline our way out of this crisis. Instead, we need a comprehensive strategy that addresses the complex roots of absenteeism – from persistent health issues to limited transportation access, from heightened stress to trauma.

Imagine if schools treated chronic absenteeism with the same urgency and collaboration used during the COVID-19 pandemic. We mobilized resources to fight a global crisis, and we can apply that same level of commitment to ensuring every child attends school regularly. 

By framing chronic absenteeism as a public health crisis, we open the door to more effective interventions. One crucial strategy for public health emergencies is risk communication, which conveys urgency, provides accurate information and mobilizes stakeholders to take collaborative action. Proactive attendance management has been shown to improve attendance rates threefold for chronically absent students, according to SchoolStatus’ “National K-12 Attendance Data Insights” report.

From my experience, I have listed these strategies schools can implement, drawing from public health approaches:

  1. Convey urgency. Research shows attendance is the most crucial predictor of school success. Schools must create a “relentless drumbeat” about attendance importance through daily text messages, visual aids, public recognition and personalized follow-ups with absent students.
  2. Provide accurate information. Transparency is key. Schools should share clear data on absenteeism and its effects. Implementing user-friendly attendance management systems can automate positive intervention letters and free up staff for more personalized outreach. Training teachers to analyze attendance data enables early, tailored interventions.
  3. Mobilize stakeholders. Thirty-seven percent of K-12 families want actionable steps to improve their children’s attendance, our report shows. Schools must provide specific, consistent messaging about attendance importance to all stakeholders: students, families, educators, board members and policymakers. Offer concrete ways for everyone to contribute to the solution.
  4. Advocate for prevention. Positive messaging encourages attendance; punitive actions deter it. A multilevel approach works best.
      • District level: Superintendents should regularly communicate about attendance importance.
      • Building level: Principals should celebrate good attendance and offer incentives.
      • Classroom level: Teachers should reach out personally to families, highlighting successes and addressing issues promptly.
  5. Foster two-way, equitable communication. A Harvard study found that students with the best outcomes during the pandemic’s remote learning were in communities with high levels of trust. Schools must establish open dialogues with families in their preferred languages and communication channels. This approach helps identify the root causes of absenteeism and builds the trust essential for consistent attendance.

The responsibility for addressing chronic absenteeism extends beyond individual schools or districts – it requires a unified national effort. However, we needn’t wait for a grand solution. By prioritizing consistent, positive communication in our classrooms, schools and communities, we can make significant strides in reducing absenteeism.

Treating chronic absenteeism as a public health emergency isn’t just a metaphor – it’s a call to action. It demands we recognize the severity of the issue and respond with the urgency, coordination and comprehensive strategies that have proven effective in addressing other public health crises.

By reframing our approach, we can foster healthier educational environments and brighter futures for our students, one attendance record at a time. 

Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own. 

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