Reimagining Attendance: A Curriculum Approach for K-12 Students and Parents

By Dr. Kara Stern • 2 min

Absenteeism,Attendance,Engagement,Family Engagement

Published August 29, 2024 on eSchool News.

In the landscape of K-12 education, attendance has long been viewed as a logistical issue–a checkbox to be marked, a statistic to be tracked. But what if we reimagined attendance not just as a policy to enforce, but as an essential part of the curriculum for both students and parents? This paradigm shift could revolutionize how schools, students, and families approach this critical aspect of education.

Here’s why we should consider attendance as part of the curriculum.

Imagine a world where attendance is taught with the same rigor and methodology as math or science. Where lessons, activities, and even assessments are developed to help students and families understand the profound impact of consistent attendance on academic success and future opportunities. This isn’t just about enforcing rules; it’s about fostering a deep, shared understanding of why being present matters.

By treating attendance as a curriculum topic, we open up new avenues for engagement and learning. For students, this could mean exploring the ripple effects of attendance on their academic journey, social connections, and future career prospects. For parents and guardians, it’s an opportunity to delve into the challenges and solutions surrounding getting their children to school regularly and on time.

It’s crucial to recognize that families in our schools are not one-size-fits-all.

According to recent data, over 20 percent of U.S. students speak a language other than English at home, and approximately 16 percent of children live in poverty. These statistics underscore the diverse backgrounds and challenges families in our communities face.

Moreover, chronic absenteeism rates vary significantly across grade levels:

Elementary school: 16 percent
Middle school: 20 percent
High school: 30 percent

And when we consider socio-economic factors, schools in high poverty districts saw a much greater jump in chronic absenteeism. These numbers highlight the need for a continuous, adaptive approach to attendance education throughout a student’s K-12 journey.

Read the full article on eSchool News.

Dr. Kara Stern
Director, Education and Engagement

Dr. Kara Stern began her career as an ELA teacher, then shifted into administration as a middle school principal. Dr. Stern is a fervent advocate for equitable communication and family engagement. She spent five years as Executive Director at Math for America, where she designed the professional learning community that exists to this day. An unexpected move to Tel Aviv launched her into the world of EdTech where she became the Director of Education Content for Smore and then the Head of Content at SchoolStatus. Outside of work, she indulges her love for reading, devouring two novels weekly, with a particular fondness for heists and spy stories.