Preventing Chronic School Absences

How Can Schools Treat Parents as Allies in Increasing Attendance?

Chronic absences are a significant problem in schools, especially in low-income areas. Low attendance rates often lead to gaps in students' learning and a lack of connection with school. Two recent studies show the importance of engaging with families and treating them as a positive influence in student attendance. When parents believe that attendance is important, kids come to school!

"These studies add to a body of work that 'empowers families to support student success.' Too often, schools instead view families as contributing to student failure — especially in low-income and urban settings, where students are absent at triple the average rate.

'Educators who take an asset-based view of families recognize that families are valuable partners in the quest to improve student success,” says Robinson. “This intervention builds on that framework, and invites parents to engage in their child's education in a way that is concrete and achievable: help get your kid to school more.'"

http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/05/parents-allies-reducing-absences