Chronic absenteeism has become one of the biggest challenges facing schools today. Nationally, nearly one in four students misses more than 10% of the school year, an alarming increase since the pandemic. In this episode of Change Starts Here, we dig into the data, the “why” behind the trend, and most importantly, what leaders and teachers can do about it.
Through real stories from the field, including an excerpt from principal John Thompson of Republic High School, we see how focusing on belonging helped reverse a years-long decline in attendance. The episode also highlights three powerful reasons students are still missing school, because it feels optional, boring, or uninviting, and offers practical, research-based strategies to address each one.
If you are looking for actionable ways to bring students back into classrooms and create schools where every child feels motivated to attend, this conversation is for you.
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Host: Kim Yaris. M.Ed.
Timestamps:
(00:00, 00:15) Open, Show ID
(00:15, 00:49) Why Attendance Now
(00:50, 01:33) Chronic Absenteeism, Defined
(01:33, 02:08) Why It Matters
(02:08, 03:12) Hearing from John Thomspon
(03:12, 04:17) The Numbers
(04:17, 05:12) Why Rates Stay High
(05:12, 06:25) Reason 1, Optional
(06:25, 07:37) Reason 2, Boring
(07:38, 08:24) Reason 3, Uninviting
(08:49, 09:12) Solutions Start
(09:12, 10:29) Strategy 1, Irreplaceable Learning
(10:29, 11:50) Strategy 2, Make It Relevant
(11:50, 13:26) Strategy 3, Relationships and Resources
