Improving Student Attendance Through Effective Parent Communication
Students who are missing too much school may be dealing with various challenges such as mental health issues, poverty, and housing insecurity. These issues can seem overwhelming for the school system to address alone. However, simple strategies like improved communication with parents through phone calls, emails, or postcards can be highly effective in improving student attendance while being cost-effective. A panel convened by EdSource discussed this topic in a session titled “Getting students back to school: Addressing chronic absenteeism.”
Communication with parents plays a crucial role in motivating them to prioritize their children’s attendance and can also help schools understand the underlying causes of chronic absenteeism. Jessica Hull, the executive director of communication and community engagement for Roseville City School District in Placer County, emphasized the importance of engagement, stating that it doesn’t require financial resources to listen to the barriers faced by families.
Research indicates that there is a significant disconnect between parents and experts when it comes to recognizing the seriousness of chronic absenteeism. Amie Rapaport, co-director of the Center for Applied Research in Education at the University of Southern California (USC), highlighted this issue, noting that many parents are unaware of their children’s struggles at school, which prevents them from seeking necessary interventions and support.
Despite the detrimental impact of chronic absenteeism on students’ academic performance, a USC report revealed that less than half of the parents of chronically absent students expressed concern about their child’s attendance. This lack of awareness underscores the importance of effective communication between schools and parents to address the issue proactively.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the challenge of student absenteeism, with Thomas S. Dee, a professor of education at Stanford University Graduate School of Education, noting a decline in the perceived value of school attendance among parents. This shift in attitude, referred to as “norm erosion,” has contributed to academic setbacks and mental health crises among youth nationwide.
Dee emphasized the need for scalable and cost-effective interventions to combat chronic absenteeism, pointing to low-cost parent engagement strategies such as outreach through texting and postcards as promising approaches. Educators must effectively communicate the consequences of absenteeism to parents, celebrating improvements in attendance while explaining the long-term implications of regular school absences.
In response to a significant increase in chronic absenteeism rates, the Roseville City School District launched an educational campaign to raise awareness among parents about attendance importance. This initiative included creating infographics in multiple languages to explain the concept of chronic absenteeism and its repercussions, aiming to empower parents with knowledge to support their children’s attendance.
To address chronic absenteeism effectively, Dee suggested integrating attendance data with a text messaging system at the state level to alert parents about their child’s attendance patterns. However, given California’s emphasis on local control, it remains the responsibility of individual districts and schools to implement tailored strategies to combat absenteeism based on their unique challenges and community needs.
Understanding the specific barriers to attendance in each community is essential for developing targeted interventions. Jennifer Hwang, a parent in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), shared her experience of advocating for her son’s attendance challenges due to anxiety and neurodivergence. Hwang emphasized the importance of schools listening to parents’ concerns and providing timely support to address attendance issues effectively.
Zaia Vera, an education consultant with Sown To Grown, highlighted the impact of student conversations on developing innovative solutions to improve attendance. In collaboration with Oakland Unified, Vera implemented a mentorship program with financial incentives to incentivize students to attend school regularly. The success of this initiative underscored the significance of building relationships and fostering a supportive school environment to enhance student attendance.
Research indicates that positive relationships with teachers, a conducive school environment, and quality instruction are key factors in promoting student attendance. While addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism is essential, schools must prioritize interventions that are feasible and aligned with their resources, especially amid financial constraints.
In conclusion, effective communication with parents, personalized interventions, and a supportive school environment are critical in improving student attendance and addressing chronic absenteeism. By fostering collaborative partnerships between schools, parents, and communities, educators can create a conducive environment that promotes regular school attendance and enhances student success.
