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Teenagers in the U.S. are struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the teenage years are always synonymous with angst (see: all the kids in the Brat Pack classic The Breakfast Club<\/em> and in the TV show Euphoria<\/em>), what\u2019s happening right now is different.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s combination of social media use, increased gun violence, ongoing pandemic recovery, and continued structural racism led the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and others to declare a national state of emergency in children\u2019s health in 2021.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no wonder absenteeism is at an all-time high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Perfect Storm\u2014Why Teen Absenteeism Is So Prevalent <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several factors impacting attendance habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent CDC <\/a>data show 42% of teens feel \u201cpersistently sad or hopeless\u201d and 1 in 5 have seriously considered suicide. Recent studies<\/a> show a direct correlation between depression in teenage girls and the amount of time they spend on Instagram\u2014something many families can confirm. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase<\/a> in depression and anxiety among teens and adolescents, especially those who lost a close relative or experienced economic or food insecurity due to job loss in the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While school may have been a sanctuary for some, a recent increase in school shootings has shattered that perception. And though meant to keep students safe, research<\/a> shows a negative psychological impact on students who regularly practice active shooter drills, including an increase in depression and anxiety <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can School Communication Help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As educators, we know attending school matters<\/a> for every child’s short- and long-term health and life prospects. Attending school can foster strong relationships, improve mental health, teach helpful self-directing and time management skills, and set a child up for success in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can we support students and their families during this time of heightened crisis?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One starting place is implementing preventative absenteeism measures using positive reinforcement to build better attendance habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This approach has an encouraging track record. When the Louisiana DOE shelved a punitive approach to absenteeism for a restorative one, they quickly saw a reduction in chronic absenteeism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelneka Adams<\/a>, the LDOE Child Welfare and Attendance Liaison, says, <\/p>\n\n\n

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I\u2019ve seen what works, and starting off with addressing psychosocial needs of students has always promoted better attendance.<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Teens <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For students already struggling with anxiety and depression<\/a>, focusing on building relationships and creating a sense of belonging is far more likely to encourage students to come to class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By choosing a positive, proactive approach rather than a punitive<\/a>, truancy-focused stance, schools and districts can build school-connectedness for families and students.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invite Families to Participate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at something as simple as a classroom\/homeroom update. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a week, the classroom\/homeroom teacher or advisor sends an update via email and posts it to a class webpage or social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This update is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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• Digital, so that families can access it on any device<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Translatable, so they can read it in their preferred language<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Consistent, so that families can anticipate its arrival and trust they\u2019ll have the information needed to support their students <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
  <\/div>\n\n\n\n

  Each week, the update should contain the same basic information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \n
  • The schedule <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The lunch menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Attendance-focused shoutouts for students<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Due dates and assignments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Upcoming events<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Contact information for the teacher & school counselors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    It becomes a relationship-based experience, letting families know, \u201cI am sharing what\u2019s happening at school with you, on your device, in your language. It matters to me that you know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Using Data to Improve Attendance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    When it comes to improving attendance, data is your best friend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An integrated data analytics and communications platform<\/a> can help those responsible for weekly school updates analyze data for patterns of engagement and provide the foundation for new strategies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It enables teachers to review past communications and understand the relationship between students\u2019 behavior, academic achievement, home life, and attendance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If teachers see folks at home aren\u2019t responding to messages about a student\u2019s absences, they have the data in hand to initiate a positive, one-on-one conversation with families\u2014and develop an attendance plan together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Help Families Break the Absentee Cycle by Building Trust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    With everything going on in the world, students are feeling more isolated, more anxious, and more hopeless than ever. And their families may feel the same way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There has to be a reason to come to school, especially when there are barriers to attendance. That reason is a caring adult saying \u201cIt matters you\u2019re here,\u201d and meaning it. For more tips on reducing absenteeism by connecting with families, download Ace Your School-Home Communication<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    How school communication plays a pivotal role in reducing chronic absenteeism by a focus on positive reinforcement and relationship-building.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":2623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1],"tags":[218,87,381,83,268,39],"class_list":["post-2620","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attendance","category-communication","tag-absenteeism","tag-communication","tag-community-building","tag-data","tag-family-engagement","tag-teacher"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n