Solving chronic absence: A whole-school approach (Encore)

Solving chronic absence: A whole-school approach (Encore)

Author: Ethical Schools November 17, 2023 Duration: 45:21
We speak with Hedy N. Chang of Attendance Works, who describes the long-term impact on student success of chronic absence in all grades.  Framing chronic absence as a truancy issue can increase alienation from school. Distinctions between excused and unexcused absences can unfairly penalize low-income students and students of color. Chronic absence rates may hit 40% this year. Ms. Chang discusses relationship-based strategies for mitigating absenteeism. Overview 00:00-00:37 Intros00:37-01:39 Definition of chronic absenteeism01:39-04:04 How absenteeism has been viewed historically04:04-06:16 Truancy06:16-08:57 Reporting and monitoring chronic absences08:57-14:37 Pandemic absenteeism rates14:37-19:22 Absenteeism and return to schools in 2021-2219:22-21:32 Attendance promotion strategies21:32-25:42 Excused and unexcused absences; biases in classification25:42-28:33 Impact of chronic absences on graduation28:33-31:26 Strategies for understanding and overcoming barriers to attendance31:26-36:41 Team approaches36:41-40:01 Virtual schools—challenges and possibilities40:01-42:18 Tiered approach42:18- Outro Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.  References attendanceworks.org

Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Ethical Schools
Podcast Episodes
Gender and sexually diverse students: Creating comfortable schools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
We speak with Dr. Elizabeth J. Meyer of the University of Colorado about ensuring that K-12 schools are welcoming and safe for students with non-normative gender identities and expressions. Dr. Meyer found that these stu…
National Sex Ed Standards: Equity and expanded comfort zones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
We speak with Brittany McBride, Associate Director, Sexuality Education at Advocates for Youth, who partners with schools to provide the complete sex education that all students deserve. Though parents, students, and tea…
Dismantling bias in schools: A multiyear model [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:53
We speak with Dr. John Pascarella, Chief Academic Officer of K-12 Professional Learning at USC Race and Equity Center. The Center works with schools to identify disparate outcomes for students and strategies to eliminate…
Mentors and passages: The power of teen-centric programs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
We speak with Al Kurland, longtime leader of out-of-school-time programs in Upper Manhattan’s Washington Heights. Mr. Kurland founded youth programs that help teens to “rewrite their stories” with the support of adult an…
From Skinner to computer-based education: Can machines teach? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:30
We speak with independent journalist Audrey Watters, author of “Teaching machines: The history of personalized learning,” about the origins of teaching machines and the pedagogies that incorporate mechanical devices for…
Radical care: Leading with love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:15
We speak with Dr. Rosa Rivera-McCutchen, associate professor of leadership studies at Lehman College, CUNY, about the importance of school leaders and teachers practicing radical care, including listening with intent and…
Efforts to ban books escalate: Tips for resistance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:30
We speak with Dr. Richard Price, associate professor of political science at Weber State University, about recent attempts to ban books, especially those about GLBTQIA+ people and people of color, from classrooms and sch…

«1...678910