Chronic absenteeism can start gradually, but it can rapidly accelerate with lasting impacts. It’s no secret chronic absenteeism is on the rise in New York City, where absenteeism exceeds the national average. What’s more, students with high rates of absenteeism are at increased risk of falling behind and not graduating from high school. With the new school year just around the corner, this doesn’t have to be our new normal. That’s why our high school in Brooklyn is flipping the script, showing how addressing chronic absenteeism head on is directly leading to higher graduation rates.
Comparable to schools across the nation, the chronic absenteeism we’ve seen in Brooklyn in the last five years is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my 15 years in education. Chronic absenteeism means missing 10% of school days per year. That breaks down to approximately 18 days a year or roughly missing two days every month. It’s a pervasive problem — and research shows a chronically absent student negatively impacts outcomes not just for themselves but also for their classmates.
As the superintendent of Math, Engineering, and Science Academy (MESA) Charter High Schools, I’m keenly aware how outcomes and graduation rates are correlated with all students’ attendance. We focus on attendance as a key lever to student learning and success and have reimagined ways to tackle the rise of chronic absenteeism in recent years. It’s why we reinforce attendance and punctuality to school the minute we meet our students.
We returned from 16 months of remote learning in the 2021-22 school year, with a chronic absentee rate of 31%. In the years since, that has dropped to 22% . With our freshmen absenteeism rate at 17%, we are confident we can continue to decrease this number. Our success isn’t about fancy or modernistic teaching techniques; but rather rooted in a personalized learning and intentionally encouraging students to show up every day.
Here’s the secret sauce for addressing chronic absenteeism and thus, higher graduation rates:
Strong relationships
Building relationships in a small classrooms is key; each student at MESA is part of a 10-12 student advisory that meets twice a week. Advisors and student advisories are consistent for all four years, strengthening this mini-family within the community. In weekly huddles, grade-level staff identify and address students who may be struggling. Deans and counselors are also assigned by class, following students throughout their entire journey, from freshman year to graduation.
Policies to prevent late arrivals
Senior-level staff members should be present outside the building daily to greet and encourage students to enter the building quickly. If a student is persistently late, the family should be called so the student can explain their tardiness. Conversely, when a student who is constantly late arrives on time, the family gets a call to celebrate.
Family as partners
Understand the importance of parents’ participation in their children’s education. School culture and family communication are critical to implementing our policies. Students receive constant feedback on their absences and lateness. Teachers should be encouraged to have at least two positive interactions with families every week, and grade leaders can ensure that every family is contacted regularly.
Personalized instruction and hands-on learning experiences
Make your school a place where students want to come. That’s the best way to prevent chronic absenteeism. Help prepare students for the transition to post-secondary success in college while providing workforce training. Connect students with internships, workplace tours and residential college programs so they feel prepared and supported after they graduate.
An increased graduation rate is about finding intentional ways for students to show up. If they attend class, they’ll feel connected, ignited, inspired. The education students receive and the relationships they cultivate help them not only come to class, but thrive in whatever path they choose from the first day of school to after graduation.
Cassandra Franzese is a long-time educator in New York City and has been with MESA High School for more than a decade, now serving as MESA’s Superintendent.
