Solving chronic absence: A whole-school approach
from Ethical Schools Hosted by Ethical Schools
We speak with Hedy N. Chang of Attendance Works, who describes the long-term impact on student success of chronic absence in all grades. Framing chronic absence as a truancy issue can increase alienation from school. Distinctions between excused and unexcused absences can unfairly penalize low-income students and students of color. Chronic absence rates may hit 40% this year. Ms. Chang discusses relationship-based strategies for mitigating absenteeism. Overview 00:00-00:37 Intros 00:37-01:39 Definition of chronic absenteeism 01:39-04:04 How absenteeism has been viewed historically 04:04-06:16 Truancy 06:16-08:57 Reporting and monitoring chronic absences 08:57-14:37 Pandemic absenteeism rates 14:37-19:22 Absenteeism and return to schools in 2021-22 19:22-21:32 Attendance promotion strategies 21:32-25:42 Excused and unexcused absences; biases in classification 25:42-28:33 Impact of chronic absences on graduation 28:33-31:26 Strategies for understanding and overcoming barriers to attendance 31:26-36:41 Team approaches 36:41-40:01 Virtual schools—challenges and possibilities 40:01-42:18 Tiered approach 42:18- Outro Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode. References attendanceworks.org
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