Chronic absenteeism is one of our education system’s most pressing issues today. It’s a complex problem that has existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic but has become even more pronounced in its aftermath. The data continues to reveal that Tulsa students are uniquely met with challenges related to school attendance, with the city currently having a 32.9% chronic absenteeism rate. This is a solvable issue for which we are all responsible. We are working with our community and district partners to address barriers to attendance to bring this number down to below 20%.
The Complexity of Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism is often misunderstood. Many assume that students simply choose not to attend school, but the reality is much more complex. Numerous contributing factors prevent students from attending school regularly. While the pandemic exacerbated these issues, they are not new. Understanding and addressing these factors is crucial to improving student attendance and, consequently, their academic success.
Identifying the Root Causes: Data-Driven Insights
To tackle chronic absenteeism effectively, it’s essential to understand its root causes. Through extensive research conducted by our Research and Analytics (RAD) team, we have identified four primary barriers to regular school attendance:
- Housing Stability: Inconsistent or unreliable housing often leads to frequent moves and emotional stress, making it difficult for students to attend school regularly. Our efforts include influencing eviction policies through our work with local school departments, the eviction court system, and the City of Tulsa to help identify vulnerable families.
- Safety: Concerns about neighborhood safety or bullying can significantly impact attendance. We are working to support our partners to ensure students can attend without fear, including prioritizing safety during their commute.
- Transportation: Reliable transportation is a critical factor in school attendance. When students lack access to dependable transportation, getting to school becomes a significant challenge. Our collaboration with local organizations will focus on improving transportation options for students.
- Mental and Physical Well-being: A student’s overall health plays a vital role in their ability to attend school. Supporting locally embedded organizations will allow us to address mental and physical health challenges as part of our broader strategy to improve community well-being and, in turn, student attendance.
Community Engagement: A Collective Effort
Addressing chronic absenteeism requires a collective effort from the entire community. At ImpactTulsa, we use the data gathered from our research to engage and activate community partners. Every Tulsan has a role to play, whether as an employer, policymaker, service provider, or concerned citizen.
As our Executive Director, Ashley Philippsen, emphasizes, “Students getting to school every day is the responsibility of every Tulsan.” Everyone can contribute to the solution by supporting policy changes, providing resources, or raising awareness.
Policy Initiatives and Strategic Actions
Our approach to addressing chronic absenteeism is grounded in data collection, policy work, and strategic planning. We collaborate with local organizations, the City of Tulsa, and county governments to shape policies that enhance student attendance. For instance, our eviction alert initiative identifies at-risk students due to open eviction cases, enabling school districts to provide targeted support to these students and their families.
In addition, we are developing tailored strategies with school districts and community partners to address the specific needs of each community. This includes helping schools understand their unique challenges, such as transportation gaps or safety concerns, and providing support to overcome these barriers.
Looking Ahead: Workshops and Future Initiatives
Our efforts to combat chronic absenteeism are ongoing. One of the key initiatives we are proud to lead is the Community Action Forum for Addressing Chronic Absenteeism. This forum brings together stakeholders from the community to discuss challenges, share insights, and develop actionable solutions.
As we continue this work, we invite all members of the Tulsa community to get involved. Whether you’re a service provider, a policymaker, or a concerned citizen, your support is crucial. Together, we can ensure that every student in Tulsa has the opportunity to succeed.
Stay connected with ImpactTulsa to learn more about how you can support these efforts.