Why There Is a Growing Student Absentee Rate—and How Community Schools Can Fix It
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, school absentee rates surged, and they have not improved since then. A recent research analysis by Attendance Works reveals that chronic absence has doubled to an estimated 16 million, or one out of three students nationwide. This alarming trend necessitates urgent solutions to address the harm so many missed school days on students’ academic success.
Various factors contribute to the worsening absentee numbers, including behavioral problems caused by the loss of socialization skills during remote learning, and family struggles. Socioeconomically disadvantaged students, particularly Black, Native American, Latinx, and Pacific Islander students, have more unexcused absences, creating disparities in educational opportunities.
Chronic absenteeism can have severe consequences, including difficulties in reaching academic milestones, increased dropout rates, and negative long-term outcomes. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensure a better future for the nation's youth.
Finding effective solutions has been challenging. Many programs designed to increase school attendance lack sufficient research and evidence to support their impact. Larger-scale interventions show mixed results across different school systems.
Recent initiatives have shown promise with their emphasis on hands-on involvement with families and communities. One approach gaining traction is the community schools strategy. These are public schools that tailor services and support to meet the unique needs of their neighborhoods. By partnering with community organizations and local businesses, they offer a wide range of educational experiences and support services.
Several schools across the United States have implemented community schools successfully to combat absenteeism. For instance, in Erie, Pennsylvania, educators partnered with the local United Way to address high absentee rates. They created a walking school bus, providing adult volunteers to escort students to and from school, resulting in increased attendance.
In Gibsonton, Florida, one school addressed absenteeism by installing laundry facilities and additional streetlights. Student attendance improved, leading to better academic outcomes.
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, a collaborative effort involving the local organization and businesses led to the adoption of the community schools approach at Lynn Community Middle School, resulting in improved student attendance and academic performance.
Empirical studies support the effectiveness of the community schools approach. Research in New York City and Cincinnati revealed that schools implementing this strategy demonstrated increased attendance, improved school culture, higher graduation rates, and better academic achievements.
Addressing the student absentee rate requires intentional strategies tailored to each community’s unique needs. The community schools approach offers a promising solution by focusing on partnership building, holistic support, and local empowerment. By organizing from the ground up and implementing community schools, educators and policymakers can pave the way for a brighter future for our students and society as a whole.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
