Accountability Over Awards: Engaging Parents to Tackle Absenteeism

Improving School Attendance: A Comprehensive Approach

As an administrator with years of experience, I’ve come to understand that improving school attendance requires a multifaceted approach. Attendance is not just about students being present in class; it’s intertwined with the overall school climate, discipline, safety, teacher attendance, and satisfaction. To truly address attendance issues, a detailed plan that directly involves parents and targeted interventions at specific levels is essential.

The school should certainly provide support as needed; however, it is the parents’ legal responsibility to get them to school.  Parents must be made aware of this at every intervention.  Copies of state laws must be provided along with lists of support available.

A Structured Plan for Parental Engagement

One of the most effective strategies I’ve implemented involves a structured communication plan with parents. The plan begins with a gentle reminder and escalates to more serious interventions as absences accumulate. Here’s an outline of the approach:

1. First Letter at Three Absences: A simple, friendly reminder to parents informing them of their child’s absences and offering support if needed.
2. Second Letter at Five Absences: A stronger message emphasizing the importance of attendance and the potential consequences of continued absences.
3. Required Parent Conference (RPC) at Eight Absences: A face-to-face meeting to discuss the underlying reasons for the absences and to collaborate on strategies to improve attendance.
4. Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) Referral at Ten Absences: Escalating the matter to a PPW who can provide additional resources and support to the family.
5. Legal Action.  If the PPW determines that it is the fault of the parent, then legal action can be initiated.  This, of course, is the last resort.

This step-by-step approach ensures that parents are kept in the loop and understand the importance of regular attendance from the outset. As the year progresses, the thresholds for intervention increase, allowing for a gradual escalation that encourages parents to address the issue early on.

Streamlining the Attendance Team

Another critical aspect of improving attendance is the composition of the attendance team. Schools with extensive teams that include multiple counselors, administrators, nurses, social workers, and others often find that little gets accomplished. Too many voices can lead to rationalizing absences rather than addressing them.

An effective attendance team should be streamlined and focused, typically consisting of:

• The administrator in charge of attendance
• The PPW
• The office person (secretary) who records attendance and interacts with families regularly

This focused team can work more efficiently, addressing issues directly and providing the necessary support without unnecessary distractions.

The Role of Incentives

While incentives like pizza parties, competitions, and attendance bingo can seem appealing, research suggests they may not be as effective as we hope. The Detroit Education Research Partnership highlights that absenteeism is a complex issue shaped by social and economic inequalities, and simple incentives often fail to address the root causes. In fact, studies by Robinson et al. (2021) found that attendance awards could even have negative consequences, leading to a decline in attendance once the awards are no longer offered.

Instead of relying heavily on incentives, it’s crucial to recognize and address the broader barriers to attendance. These barriers include health issues, transportation challenges, and economic hardships, which are significant factors for many families.

Achieving Success Through a Comprehensive Approach

Implementing this structured and comprehensive approach has led to significant improvements in attendance rates in my experience. Here are the attendance rates we achieved over a five-year period:

• Year 1: 92.3%
• Year 2: 92.7%
• Year 3: 94.4%
• Year 4: 94.8%
• Year 5: 95.0%

The state requirement for acceptable attendance was 94%, and we surpassed this benchmark by focusing on direct communication with parents, a streamlined attendance team, and addressing the underlying causes of absenteeism rather than relying solely on incentives.

Understanding and Addressing Barriers

To effectively improve attendance, it’s essential to understand the specific problems and causes of absenteeism within your school. According to research by Childs & Lofton (2021) and others, absenteeism is influenced by individual factors, family circumstances, school and neighborhood characteristics, and broader economic and policy contexts. Incentives might help some students, but for many, the barriers are more profound.

For instance, transportation issues can significantly impact attendance. A student who relies on unreliable public transportation may struggle to get to school consistently. Health issues, such as asthma, can also be a significant barrier, particularly in communities with high levels of pollution. Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach that goes beyond simple rewards.

Recommendations for School Leaders

Based on research and my own experience, the answer is to work directly with the parents and let them know that you care and will provide supports if needed.  However, as the parent/guardian, they are legally responsible for sending their child to school, and if they don’t, they will be held accountable.

here are some recommendations for school leaders looking to improve attendance:

1. Diagnose the Problem: Understand the specific causes of absenteeism in your school. Are there common barriers like transportation or health issues that need to be addressed?
2. Select Appropriate Interventions: Choose interventions that address the identified problems. This might include improving transportation options, providing health services, or offering more engaging curriculum and activities.
3. Plan for Implementation: Ensure that interventions are implemented effectively. This includes clear communication with parents and students, as well as consistent follow-up.
4. Evaluate and Revise: Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of your interventions and be willing to make adjustments as needed.

Improving school attendance requires a comprehensive and well-thought-out approach. By engaging parents early, streamlining the attendance team, and addressing the root causes of absenteeism, schools can create a positive and supportive environment that encourages regular attendance. Incentives can play a role, but they should be part of a broader strategy that considers the complex factors influencing student attendance. Through careful planning and continuous evaluation, school leaders can make a significant impact on improving attendance and, ultimately, student success.