The Promise of Peer Learning Networks to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

In this October 22, 2019 GLR Learning Tuesdays webinar, Hedy Chang, the executive director of Attendance Works, reminded attendees of the negative effects of chronic absenteeism on student achievement, stressing how these effects increase significantly when children experience multiple years of chronic absence. Chang also described the conditions that promote both attendance and learning:

• physical and emotional health and safety;
• belonging, connection and support; academic challenge and engagement; and
• adult and student emotional competence.

Afterwards, Cecelia Leong, also of Attendance Works, introduced the concept of peer learning networks, explaining how these networks can advance efforts to increase attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism. Through disaggregation of data, peer-to-peer learning, coaching, technical assistance, evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies and a focus on continuous improvement, peer learning networks enable school teams to take concrete steps to address the local factors contributing to chronic absence.

Attendees then heard from three local funders who are supporting peer learning networks in their communities: Beth Duda of The Patterson Foundation, Dawn Gerundo of Valley of the Sun United Way, and Jim MacDonald of United Way of Greater Kansas City. They each shared what spurred them to take action to address chronic absenteeism, what their early action steps were, and what they are now doing to build local capacity to sustain this work and promote peer learning across the community. Duda described the Suncoast Campaign’s successful Attendance Awareness Campaign poster contest, its funding of a data analyst position in the school district and its work to break down siloes and align efforts related to attendance. Dawn Gerundo shared how Read On Avondale and the Valley of the Sun United Way have supported a tiered approach that has enabled community partners, including the fire department and local elected officials, to find roles in supporting regular attendance. Jim MacDonald explained how Kansas City began its attendance efforts in late 2018 and has already trained 100 leaders in one high-needs school district while providing ongoing coaching support.