Chronic absenteeism surged during the pandemic and remained stubbornly high in its aftermath, as the number of chronically absent students — those missing at least 10% of an academic school year — almost doubled. As classrooms pivoted from in-person learning to remote and hybrid models, ideas about the importance of traditional school attendance underwent rapid transformation.
“By and large, students and parents got out of the habit of ‘compulsory school attendance’ and have found no compelling reason to re-engage,” warns Dr. Tom Reed, founder of America’s Heroic School. “The impact of chronic absenteeism has a cumulative effect, and while it may not show immediate consequences now, it will bring significant and irreversible consequences over the long term.”
As educational institutions grapple with the ramifications of chronic absenteeism, accessible learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting have taken on a new urgency. These opportunities are a lifeline for students who struggle with consistent attendance and are crucial for ensuring educational equity.
Turning chronic absenteeism into 365 days of learning
Covid necessitated a reimagining of how education could be delivered, and for many parents and students, the experience was eye-opening. Remote learning, while challenging, offered families a glimpse into alternative education methodologies that did not require students to be physically present in a traditional classroom setting. For some, the revelation that attending school could be more flexible led them to question traditional models.
As the population underwent a collective shift in priorities, many families reevaluated what was important to them, placing a higher value on family time and well-being over traditional academic achievement. After experiencing the freedom of remote learning, some found it difficult to readjust to in-person school’s structure and demands.
The shift to remote learning and the subsequent learning loss experienced by many students led to disengagement and a lack of motivation. For some students, falling behind academically during remote learning phases resulted in a sense of hopelessness and frustration, making the prospect of attending school less appealing. The challenge for schools is to remediate this learning loss while also re-engaging students in the learning process.
“School districts are struggling to keep up with the volume of chronically absent students,” Dr. Reed observes. “Today, the demand is far greater than the supports schools have in place.”
In many ways, the pandemic irreversibly changed the landscape of education, including a rise in alternative schooling options, such as homeschooling or online education platforms. For some families, these alternatives have become preferable, further influencing traditional school attendance rates. Schools must adapt to these changing dynamics, recognizing that the “one-size-fits-all” model may not effectively serve their student populations’ diverse needs and circumstances.
We now have an opportunity to take the negative experience of chronic absenteeism and turn it into a positive 21st-century learning model of 365 days of learning per year. Instead of browbeating kids and their parents about not showing up to school, a more effective approach would be ensuring that children have access to school learning (via the Chromebook and online engagement with their friends). From there, we can watch how the act of joining and supporting the families in this new way of learning 365 days a year increases student engagement and, ultimately, their academic and social proficiency.
The critical role of accessible learning beyond the classroom
“School isn’t the only place to learn,” says Scott Dow, president of Heroic Game Day. “The real opportunity presented by the pandemic is to extend the influence of school outside the school day and outside of classrooms. If schools figure out how to do this, they become more relevant, not only during the approximately 4 hours of quality instructional time each day but also for those 12 to 16 hours of learning outside the classroom.”
All children learn. As adults, we need to influence what they learn.
Children have always learned outside the classroom. When they help with grocery shopping, for example, they learn to categorize, count, and understand the value of money. Cooking helps them grasp the basics of measurement, chemistry, and nutrition. Similarly, playtime teaches them about the physical world, biodiversity, and the rules of social interaction by playing in the dirt, observing animals, or simply gazing at the stars.
Today, children have more avenues for learning than ever before. The digital landscape offers interactive apps that teach language, math, and coding skills. Websites, podcasts, and educational videos serve as platforms for learning about anything from history to how things are made.
“During a child’s formative years, we must actively manage their learning time with good and engaging content,” says Dow. “Before children are 12, they need to learn the skills that enable them to grasp technology, work diligently to achieve success and collaborate with others. These early years are the time to instill them with hope for the future and motivate them to make it happen. Our children are learning 365 days a year — we need to influence that learning.”
Home-based programs: A solution to chronic absenteeism
As educators and policymakers seek innovative strategies to combat chronic absenteeism, home-based programs emerge as a promising solution. Though they vary in format, they share a common goal: an educational structure that supports learning outside the traditional school setting.
Online courses and digital platforms offer flexible learning schedules to mitigate the stigma associated with absenteeism and create an inclusive learning environment. Instead of students feeling left behind, these options empower them to take charge of their learning journey. They also support the whole child by addressing a variety of learning styles, promoting emotional and social well-being, and encouraging community involvement and engagement.
“The changing times force us to adapt how we engage and teach our children,” Dr. Reed concludes. “All kids learn, but our challenge is helping them learn the things that are good for them and competing with those that aren’t. While school hasn’t changed, the world around these kids has and they are now constantly bombarded by competing tech platforms. Our education system needs to harness technology to make learning more relevant both in and out of the classroom.”
