Required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act to go beyond test scores to assess school quality and student success, many state education leaders are turning to chronic absenteeism as a window into student engagement and school climate.
FutureEd released a report analyzing the most effective way to use chronic absenteeism under ESSA. Drawing on a review of the states’ ESSA plans, a new analysis of federal absenteeism data, and the latest research in the absenteeism field, the report provides a blueprint for using student absenteeism measures successfully. A panel of researchers and policymakers discussed the advantages and potential perils of making absenteeism part of an accountability system.
Speakers included:
- Robert Balfanz, Director, Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University
- Kirsten Carr, Senior Program Director, Student Expectations, Council of Chief State School Officers
- Hedy Chang, Director, Attendance Works
- Phyllis Jordan, Editorial Director, FutureEd and Report Co-author
- Thomas Toch, Director, FutureEd