UChicago Study Reveals Key Strategies to Combat School Absenteeism

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant rise in absenteeism across school districts in the United States, including those within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). A recent study from the University of Chicago highlights effective strategies that can help mitigate these challenges and improve student attendance.

One school standing out in the fight against absenteeism is César Chavez Elementary School, where attendance rates exceed 96%. Principal Barton Dassinger emphasizes that enhancing attendance became a top priority after the pandemic caused a notable decline. “When we came back from the pandemic, our attendance dropped dramatically, and we knew that if students are not in school, they’re not going to learn,” Dassinger said.

The UChicago Consortium on School Research conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand the factors influencing attendance. The findings reveal that the quality of the school itself plays a more critical role than the neighborhood in which students reside. According to Elaine Allensworth from the consortium, “The school that students attend actually makes more of a difference than the neighborhood in which they live.”

The study compared attendance rates among schools situated in similar neighborhoods and assessed students with comparable backgrounds. It found that a positive school climate significantly impacts attendance. Schools that prioritize attendance, communicate effectively with families, and provide support for students’ needs tend to achieve better outcomes.

For instance, Dassinger notes the importance of building relationships with families, “If they need that support, whatever it may be, going to their house, walking them home, talking to parents about what they need.” Notably, over 96% of families at César Chavez are below the poverty line, underscoring the unique challenges faced by these communities.

Attendance is not merely a statistic; it correlates with academic success. “We actually find that the students who end up college-ready are the students who come 95% or more days who really are not missing very much school at all,” Allensworth added. The academic performance at César Chavez reflects this, with scores reported to be double, triple, or even quadruple compared to five other nearby schools.

The findings from the UChicago report are set for presentation at the upcoming Chicago School Board meeting, where they may influence future strategies in CPS. The study has also been shared with the Chicago Teachers Union, indicating a collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of absenteeism in schools.

In conclusion, the UChicago study sheds light on effective measures that schools can adopt to combat rising absenteeism. By focusing on a supportive school environment and prioritizing attendance, schools like César Chavez Elementary demonstrate that it is possible to improve student engagement and academic outcomes, even in the wake of a global pandemic.