Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
Dive into a pressing concern within the educational landscape as "The Daily" podcast brings forth an issue afflicting schools in the post-pandemic world—chronic student absenteeism. Katrin Bennhold leads the conversation, with Sarah Mervosh, Dana Chevsky, and Regina Murph offering in-depth insights into this growing problem. Discover the unsettling rise in absentee rates and the multifaceted challenges students and schools face that extend beyond mere truancy.
Their in-depth analysis doesn't stop at identifying the problem but explores pivotal strategies schools are taking to combat it. Understand how personalized home visits not only track attendance but also bridge gaps between educators and family units, shedding light on individual hardships. The experiences shared by Regina Murph add a personal touch, illustrating the profound impact of community-focused educational support and the vital role schools play in the societal fabric.
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1-Page Summary
Reengaging students and rebuilding trust between families and schools
After the pandemic's height, schools struggle with chronic student absenteeism, which remains high after reopening. Sarah Mervosh reveals that absenteeism has risen from 15% pre-pandemic to a current 26%, ostensibly affecting all demographics and grade levels. This absenteeism is not solely due to illness but is also grounded in economic, mental health, and logistical challenges.
Chronic absenteeism impacts not just academic progression but also the development of critical social skills in students. As absenteeism can become a contagious culture, it adversely affects the overall learning environment, influencing more students to skip school.
To counter this trend, schools have initiated home visits as a means to reconnect with families and keep track of attendance. These visits provide a personalized understanding of family situations, like that of Regina Murph who found support following a family tragedy. Such outreach efforts also reestablish the notion of attending school as an obligation, while reinvigorating the vital community connection schools provide.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Chronic absenteeism can hinder the development of critical social skills in students by limiting their interactions with peers and teachers. This lack of consistent participation can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from the school community. Additionally, when absenteeism becomes a common occurrence, it can create a negative culture that normalizes skipping school, impacting the overall learning environment. Addressing chronic absenteeism is crucial not only for academic progress but also for fostering a supportive and engaging school atmosphere.
- Chronic absenteeism can create a norm within a school where missing classes becomes more acceptable. When a significant number of students are frequently absent, it can influence others to also skip school. This normalization of absenteeism can lead to a culture where missing classes is seen as less serious or important, further perpetuating the problem.
- Home visits to address absenteeism involve school staff visiting students' homes to understand the reasons behind their absence and provide support. This approach allows schools to personalize interventions based on individual family situations and build stronger connections with families. The logistics of conducting home visits include scheduling appointments, ensuring staff safety, and respecting families' privacy and cultural norms. By engaging directly with families in their homes, schools can address underlying issues contributing to absenteeism and work collaboratively towards improving student attendance.
- Home visits by schools serve as a proactive approach to understanding students' circumstances and fostering a sense of responsibility towards attending school. By engaging directly with families in their homes, schools can address underlying issues contributing to absenteeism and emphasize the importance of regular school attendance. These visits create a personal connection between schools and families, building trust and a supportive community network that encourages students to prioritize their education. Overall, the practice of home visits helps strengthen the partnership between schools and families, reinforcing the idea that attending school is a shared commitment essential for student success.
Counterarguments
- The increase in absenteeism rates may not be solely attributable to the pandemic; other factors could have contributed to this trend that were not accounted for in the analysis.
- The effectiveness of home visits may vary depending on the approach and the specific circumstances of each family, and they may not be a one-size-fits-all solution.
- There could be privacy concerns or feelings of intrusion among families regarding home visits, which might lead to resistance or a lack of trust rather than rebuilding it.
- The idea of school attendance as an obligation might not resonate with all cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds, and alternative engagement strategies may be necessary.
- The focus on absenteeism might overlook the quality of education and whether the school environment meets the needs of students, which could be a factor in their absenteeism.
- There may be systemic issues within the education system that contribute to absenteeism, such as inadequate support for mental health or economic challenges, which are not addressed by home visits alone.
- The report may not fully capture the diversity of experiences among different demographics, and some groups may face unique challenges that are not adequately addressed by the proposed solutions.
- The concept of absenteeism creating a contagious culture could be an oversimplification and may not take into account individual student motivations and circumstances.
- Strengthening community connections through schools is important, but it may require broader community involvement and support beyond the scope of home visits.
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Reengaging students and rebuilding trust between families and schools
After the pandemic, reconnecting families, students, and schools has become imperative to address chronic student absenteeism and rebuild trust.
Chronic student absenteeism remains high after reopening from COVID pandemic
Sarah Mervosh shines a light on the tendency of families and students to remain disconnected from schools since the pandemic. This is reflected in the significant increase in chronic student absenteeism from 15% before the pandemic to 28% afterward. The most recent data indicates a slight improvement, with the figure standing at 26%. The rise in absenteeism spans across demographics, affecting both wealthier communities (10% to 19%) and poorer ones (19% to 32%).
Absenteeism up across demographics and grade levels
Chronic absenteeism follows a "Nike swoosh" pattern, highest in the early and later grades, and lowest in between. Multiple factors contribute to this issue, including illness—exacerbated by a shift in the culture surrounding attending school while sick—as well as economic needs, mental health struggles, and transportation barriers.
Implications of continued absenteeism
Preventing academic catch-up and development of social skills
Mervosh emphasizes the dire implications of prolonged absenteeism, outlining its negative impact on academic catch-up and the development of critical social skills. Additionally, she underscores the notion that absenteeism is both a cause and a symptom of academic and mental health struggles, casting a shadow over the entire education system.
Can be culturally contagious, disrupting learning environment
Absenteeism can become "culturally contagious," as suggested by Mervosh's research. If a certain percentage of students are absent, it increases the likelihood that others will follow suit. This phenomenon can disrupt the learning environment and change the culture within a school or classroom.
Home visits to rebuild connections between schools and families
Personal outreach informs on attendance data, understands family situations
To reverse the trend of absenteeism, home visits have become a crucial tool. These allow school representative ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Reengaging students and rebuilding trust between families and schools
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Chronic absenteeism following a "Nike swoosh" pattern means that absenteeism rates are highest in the early and later grades, and lowest in between, resembling the shape of the Nike logo. This pattern suggests that there are specific points in a student's academic journey where absenteeism tends to peak or decline. The term is used to describe the fluctuation in absenteeism rates across different grade levels, highlighting a non-linear trend in attendance behavior.
- "Culturally contagious absenteeism" suggests that when a certain number of students are absent from school, it can influence others to also miss school, creating a trend within the school community. This phenomenon can disrupt the learning environment and impact the overall culture within a school or classroom. It highlights how absenteeism can spread like a cultural norm or behavior within a group of students. The term emphasizes the social aspect of absenteeism and how it can have a ripple effect on student attendance patterns.
- Regina Murph from Michigan experienced a home visit from school representatives to address her children's absences and offer support after the loss of her sister to COVID-19. The visit helped her understand the importance of her children's attendance and provided her with options for assistance. This personal outreach aimed to rebuild the connection between the family and the school, emphasizing the support available within the school community. The interaction highligh ...
Counterarguments
- The increase in absenteeism rates may not solely be due to disengagement but could also reflect a more cautious approach to health and well-being post-pandemic, where families prioritize health over attendance.
- The data on absenteeism across demographics might not fully capture the nuances of each community's unique challenges and resources, and a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing absenteeism may not be effective.
- The pattern of absenteeism described as a "Nike swoosh" could be an oversimplification, and there may be other patterns or factors at play in different regions or school districts.
- While absenteeism is linked to academic and social skill deficits, there may be cases where students thrive in alternative educational settings that are not captured by traditional attendance metrics.
- The concept of absenteeism being "culturally contagious" could be seen as stigmatizing and may not take into account the complex social dynamics within schools.
- Home visits, while potentially beneficial, may not be welcomed by all families and could be perceived as intrusive or paternalistic, potentially damaging trust ...
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