Schools Must Dig Deep with Root Cause Analysis to Truly Tackle Absenteeism

Lightspeed Tech Banner Ad

 

As the U.S. grapples with a rising tide of chronic absenteeism in schools, a phenomenon exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, educational leaders are faced with a pivotal challenge. With the shift to online learning during the pandemic, students and parents questioned the efficacy and necessity of traditional schooling structures, leading to increased absentee rates even as schools have reopened. This issue brings to light the critical need for a reassessment of how educational environments engage with and retain students.

How can schools utilize educational technology to effectively address and reduce chronic absenteeism?

Kevin Dougherty, a renowned edtech strategist and former educator and administrator, offers a comprehensive analysis of the importance of not only integrating technology with student-centric educational models to enhance engagement and ensure consistent attendance but also employing root cause analysis and fostering community and leadership collaboration.

Main Takeaways:

  1. Redefine the Role of Teachers: Transition from traditional teaching to facilitating learning, where teachers act as “engineers” of student learning, tailoring education to individual needs and future career paths.
  2. Root Cause Analysis: Before implementing solutions, schools need to clearly define the issues of absenteeism through thorough analysis, identifying specific local factors contributing to disengagement.
  3. Engagement Through Relevance: Schools should ensure the learning provided is directly linked to real-life applications and future career readiness, which may include college, vocational training, or other paths.
  4. Strategic Use of Educational Technology: Implement technology that supports personalized learning and engagement, not just as a tool for delivering content but as a means to build connections and trust with students.
  5. Community and Leadership Collaboration: School leaders must collaborate to craft strategies that address the underlying causes of absenteeism, setting clear goals and actionable plans that involve the whole educational community.

Article written by Sonia Gossai

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

leading with intention
Making Meaning Out of Life’s Pause: Billie Whitehouse on Finding Strength, Setting Boundaries, and Leading With Intention
September 17, 2025

In June, Forbes profiled Billie Whitehouse, CEO and Creative Director of Wearable X, as she broke her silence about leading through a devastating health crisis. Diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at 27 while 22 weeks pregnant, Whitehouse underwent emergency surgery that ensured her survival, but came with the profound heartbreak of losing her…

Read More
Critical Care
Transforming the ICU Through Technology: Advances in Critical Care Telehealth Delivering Gold-Standard Care Anywhere
September 17, 2025

Critical care in the United States faces a mounting crisis. With a shortage of board-certified intensivists and younger, less experienced nurses filling ICUs, hospitals often struggle to provide timely, gold-standard care. Studies show that hospitals with board-certified intensivists in their ICUs see a 30% reduction in patient mortality, yet thousands of facilities still lack…

Read More
How to Scale Events Without Losing the Wow Factor
How to Scale Events Without Losing the Wow Factor
September 17, 2025

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Monsive, CEO of ASAP Security, reconnects with Idan Koren, CMO of Verkada, for a conversation about what it really takes to scale events without losing their impact. Idan shares how his team manages nearly 500 events a year—ranging from intimate gatherings to Verkada One, the company’s flagship…

Read More
UGC
How to End UGC Self-Sabotage in B2B with Vidlo’s Chynna Morgan
September 16, 2025

Most B2B marketers already know user-generated content (UGC) has power. But too many still get in their own way — clinging to polished video shoots, siloed workflows, or the excuse that their brand “isn’t sexy.” In the latest episode of UGC for B2B, host Daniel Litwin sits down with Chynna Morgan, CEO & Founder…

Read More