Education Terminology
What is chronic absenteeism?
“missing 10 percent or greater of the total number of days enrolled during the school year for any reason” - CT State Department of Education
Looking at trends in the data, there is a surge of chronic absenteeism at a particular level. At what level does this surge occur?
According to The United States Department of Education, chronic absenteeism spikes in high school for students of every race and ethnicity.
How does chronic absenteeism affect academic performance and achievement?
Gaps in learning and stalls pacing with peers
How might the pandemic-related disruptions have influenced these underlying factors?
Health issues, technological barriers, mental-health concerns
Which socio-economic group presents the highest chronic absentee rate in Connecticut?
Students that qualify for Free and Reduced Priced Lunch
What is excused absence?
A student who has an authorized and planned absence from school
What student population (globally) is disproportionately impacted by chronic absenteeism?
Students with disabilities
What are the long-term consequences of chronic absenteeism on students’ ability to grasp and retain essential academic concepts?
Significant learning gaps, lower academic achievement, decreased motivation, reduced opportunities for success
What adjustments could schools make in attendance monitoring strategies to address challenges posed by remote and hybrid learning models during the pandemic?
flexible and technology-oriented attendance monitoring systems to accommodate dynamic learning environment
In which grade does Chronic Absentee rates provide an indicator for high-school drop-out?
Sixth Grade
What is the metric that is used to describe the total number of days a student is present in school?
Attendance Rate
List 5 reasons why students may be chronically absent.
illness or chronic disease; unmet basic needs; academic or social struggles; trauma; lack of engaging/relevant instruction
How does chronic absenteeism impact overall classroom dynamics, including teacher-student interactions and collaborative learning opportunities?
Creates inconsistencies with teacher instruction for all
How might increased awareness of mental health impacts contribute to addressing chronic absenteeism trends?
targeted interventions and support systems to address psychological factors contributing to chronic absenteeism
Lack of access to health care, housing insecurity, and unreliable transportation contribute to high chronic absentee rates for this student sub-group.
Children living in poverty
What is the term used for tracking of a student's whereabouts and activities during school hours?
Truancy Surveillance and Monitoring
Who might initiate a child’s absence? Identify three different people.
school, caregiver, child
What strategies have been implemented to mitigate the impact of chronic absenteeism on student learning outcomes?
Attendance tracking, incentives, support services, collaboration with stakeholders
The Chronic Absenteeism rate in Connecticut spiked from 14.5% pre-pandemic to 29.1% post-pandemic among these grade levels.
9-12
Children who are chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade are much less likely to read proficiently by this grade-level.
Third Grade
What is the term where a student intentionally avoids attending school due to anxiety, fear, or other psychological reasons?
School refusal or school phobia
Identify the four categories of risk factors that impact students’ attendance.
Individual, Family, School, Community
What role do socio-economic factors play in contributing to chronic absenteeism and its effects on learning?
Lack of transportation, inadequate healthcare, housing instability, family obligations
How can communities and schools collaborate objectively to implement strategies preventing chronic absenteeism in the post-COVID educational landscape?
Collaboration may involve community outreach programs, mentorship initiatives, and the use of technology to create a supportive and engaging learning environment
Districts are required to have a chronic absentee review team when chronic absentee rates exceed this threshold.
10%