Patrick Hickman - Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Ohio Schools

Episode Summary: In this episode of "School Wellness with Amanda Hampton," hosted by certified prevention specialist Amanda Hampton, the focus is on tackling chronic absenteeism in Ohio schools. Joined by Patrick Hickman from the Office of Whole Child Supports, the discussion delves into the pressing issue of student and staff attendance post-pandemic. The episode not only explores historical and current data trends but also examines the underlying causes contributing to absenteeism, providing a detailed overview that is both informative and thought-provoking. Patrick Hickman shares valuable insights into the mission of the Office of Whole Child Supports, emphasizing non-academic barriers to learning and chronic absenteeism's impact on educational outcomes. Utilizing data from Ohio's schools, Patrick elaborates on how relationships and community engagement can be pivotal in combating absenteeism. The conversation touches on the differences between chronic absenteeism and truancy, while providing schools with strategies to enhance student attendance through relationship-building, early intervention, and comprehensive community support. Key Takeaways: Chronic absenteeism was high even before the pandemic: The episode highlights that absenteeism rates were already concerning pre-pandemic and have worsened post-pandemic. The importance of community engagement: Patrick Hickman emphasizes that schools with strong family and community relationships exhibit lower rates of absenteeism. Differences between truancy and chronic absenteeism: Understanding these distinctions helps schools target the root causes of absenteeism more effectively. Implementing attendance intervention strategies: Early intervention, relationship mapping, and leveraging community resources are essential strategies for improving attendance. Adaptability of interventions: Schools are encouraged to incorporate attendance strategies into existing structures like PBIS and MTSS to mitigate capacity issues. Notable Quotes: "I help with folks who need help with attendance law, like understanding the state statutes and what schools should and shouldn't be doing." – Patrick Hickman "Relationships matter a lot. Schools saw about a 6% improvement in chronic absence post-remote learning simply because they had strong family engagement." – Patrick Hickman "Attendance is not like that most other educational problems; relationships are key, and there's no quick fix." – Patrick Hickman "Regular attendance is linked to overall academic performance, and we have the data to connect those things." – Patrick Hickman "We have to make sure that school is a place that students want to be, and it has to be a place that parents want to send their kids." – Patrick Hickman Resources: Ohio Department of Education Attendance Support Ohio's Official Attendance Guide Tune into the full episode for an in-depth understanding of how schools can combat attendance issues effectively. Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at OhioSBCOE.