Vote for the Wisest Wonk: Tackling Chronic Absenteeism Through Innovative Approaches

For several years, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute has hosted an annual Wonkathon on the Flypaper blog to spark substantive conversations about key issues in education reform. This year, contributors were asked to tackle a timely and challenging question: How can policymakers and practitioners radically reduce chronic absenteeism—at least below pre-pandemic levels and preferably much further?

All twelve entries are now posted on Fordham’s website, and as in previous years, the public is invited to vote for the "Wisest Wonk" of 2024. Voting is now open and can be done in two ways: through our online survey or by "liking" a post in the thread on X. Voters can use either method to cast their vote. The deadline to vote is 1:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 6. Fordham will tally the votes and announce the first-, second-, and third-place winners in the August 8 edition of the Education Gadfly Weekly.

Comprehensive Approaches

“Everything, everywhere, all at once” solutions to chronic absenteeism - Kelly James and Brad Bernatek

James and Bernatek advocate for addressing chronic absenteeism by tackling root causes, engaging students, supporting families, and leveraging timely data. Their approach requires a combination of immediate actions and long-term strategies to build a supportive and engaging school environment, focusing on the needs of students and families to significantly reduce absenteeism and enhance overall student well-being.

Improving School Attendance in Rhode Island - Jeremy Chiappetta , Krystafer Redden, and Thomas Giordano

In Rhode Island, chronic absenteeism has been tackled through the Learn365RI initiative, emphasizing year-round learning and community engagement. Chiappetta, Redden, and Giordano highlight how Governor McKee and state leaders' multifaceted approach, including public awareness campaigns and real-time data monitoring, has led to significant improvements in attendance rates.

Schools Cannot Radically Reduce Chronic Absenteeism Alone - Jeremy Singer and Sarah Winchell Lenhoff

Singer and Lenhoff argue that the persistent problem of chronic absenteeism is driven by factors beyond the school environment, necessitating a broader societal approach. They suggest that while schools should focus on supportive communication and positive school climates, policymakers must invest in addressing economic security, housing stability, and access to healthcare to remove attendance barriers.

Sustainable, Promising Interventions to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism -Charles Ogundimu, PHD

Ogundimu discusses effective interventions to combat chronic absenteeism, including personalized support and strong community partnerships. He highlights the success of initiatives in Connecticut and Maryland, emphasizing early intervention, family engagement, and continuous evaluation to significantly reduce absenteeism and improve student outcomes.

Rethinking School Policies to Combat Chronic Absenteeism - Michael Gary, Jr. Ph.D. and Dr. Ivory Toldson

Gary and Toldson highlight the need to address systemic inequities embedded in school policies that contribute to chronic absenteeism. They emphasize reevaluating policies such as excused absences, athlete-related absences, and suspension practices, advocating for an equity-driven approach that reflects the unique needs of all students.

Tailored Interventions

Who Gets Attendance Interventions is as Important as What the Intervention Is - Mikia Manley

Manley emphasizes the importance of focusing attendance interventions on moderately absent students rather than only the most severe cases. She argues that utilizing data-driven tools allows schools to implement timely and appropriate interventions for a broader range of students, significantly reducing chronic absenteeism.

To Boost Attendance and Outcomes, Pay Students, Not Systems - Gary Frankel, MPA and Cooper Conway

Frankel and Conway propose directly paying students to attend school as a way to combat chronic absenteeism. They cite examples from the Harlem Children’s Zone and international studies, demonstrating that financial incentives can boost attendance and engagement, leading to improved student behavior and attendance rates.

How Can Policymakers and Practitioners Reduce Chronic Absenteeism? The Answer is Sports - Sam Duell

Duell suggests leveraging sports to combat chronic absenteeism by expanding sports offerings and supporting club sports to keep students motivated. This strategy not only enhances student engagement and well-being but also reduces absenteeism and boosts academic performance.

Stop Pathologizing Young People, and Rethink School

Let’s Stop Blaming Kids for Absenteeism and Unleash Entrepreneurship - Darien Contu

Contu calls for a shift from blaming students to rethinking how schools operate to address chronic absenteeism effectively. By involving parents and fostering entrepreneurship, Contu believes we can transform education to better serve students' diverse needs and increase their desire to attend school.

To Fix Chronic Absenteeism, We Must Ask Why Kids Don’t Want to Go to School - Leslie Colwell

Colwell argues that to effectively reduce chronic absenteeism, we must understand why students are disengaged from school and reimagine the learning experience to align with their interests. She highlights the success of innovative programs like Salem Public Schools' pilot, showing that when students find relevance and joy in their education, attendance rates significantly improve.

To Improve Attendance, Promote Autonomy - Robyn G.

Gausman-Burnett suggests that empowering students with autonomy over their attendance and transportation can transform their school experience and reduce absenteeism. By promoting independence and responsibility, she believes schools can make attendance a more engaging and self-motivated activity for students.

Change our schooling paradigm to reduce chronic absenteeism - Hugh Osborn

Osborn argues that by understanding and nurturing children's innate learning drives and creating joyful, engaging learning experiences, schools can radically reduce chronic absenteeism and other systemic issues. He emphasizes that a complete transformation of schools and districts to this new model is essential for unlocking the full potential of our education system.

Call to Action

I encourage you to read each of these insightful entries and vote for your favorite to determine the "Wisest Wonk" of 2024. Your participation not only supports these innovative ideas but also contributes to the ongoing conversation about improving student attendance and engagement in our nation’s schools.

Conclusion

The diverse and innovative approaches presented in this year's Wonkathon highlight the complexity of tackling chronic absenteeism. By understanding the root causes, engaging students and families, and implementing data-driven and equitable policies, we can make significant strides in reducing absenteeism and enhancing the educational experience for all students. Join us in celebrating these proposals and contributing to the future of education by casting your vote today.