Connecting With Families to Improve Students’ School Attendance: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

School attendance is a rising issue in public schools. Students regularly absent from school can end up involved in destructive behaviors and dropout of school. Family characteristics are strong determining factors in students’ school attendance. This presents the question, “Can family involvement improve public school students’ attendance?” One way to do this is through phone calls from the school faculty to students’ caregivers. Promoting attendance early in a student's life can encourage attendance and maintain this habit throughout his or her school career. The studies reviewed—using parent involvement—show promise to improving students’ attendance. When parents or caregivers are regularly apprised of their child's attendance, they can provide appropriate feedback at home. Other findings and implications for phone call interventions and attendance are discussed.

Keywords:

• absenteeism
• family communication
• public school attendance rates

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bethany M. McConnell

Bethany M. McConnell is an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Her research interests include working with parents to increase outcomes for students with special needs. In addition, Bethany works with preservice teachers to build an understanding for teaching students with special needs in the general education classroom.

Richard M. Kubina

Richard M. Kubina, Jr. is a professor in the special education program at The Pennsylvania State University. His current research interests include measurably effective curricula and the effects of behavioral fluency within educational and social settings.