Chronic Absenteeism: Prevention & Intervention Strategies for Schools, Families, & Communities – NYC Edition

In March 2020, school buildings across the country closed and transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Millions of students have not been seen in school districts since. Of those students who are missing, a disproportionate number are students of color, students living in poverty, students with disabilities, English language learners, children in foster care, and children of migrant workers. Finding and re-engaging these students is especially challenging given the increased household instability of economically disadvantaged families. The implications for students, families, and communities are dire. This urgent crisis demands immediate, effective action.

This new quick-reference laminated guide by Sharon Bradley examines the widespread problem of chronic absenteeism in schools, from why students fail to show up to school, to how to prevent excessive absences, to how to find missing students and re-engage them so that they are able to get back on track and ultimately graduate and reach their full potential.

Topics covered include:

• Implications and impact of chronic absenteeism
• Essential practices for building a positive school climate
• Tiered intervention strategies for teachers, school counselors, nurses, and administrators
• Absenteeism prevention strategies for families
• Engaging the community to prevent chronic absenteeism
• Student recovery and re-engagement strategies
• Intensive school-based interventions: small restorative learning environments
• Intensive district-level interventions: the attendance review board
• Individualized family support plans