Improving Student Attendance through Technology-Driven Education Models

The issue of chronic absenteeism has emerged as a significant concern in American schools, with nearly 30% of students missing at least 10% of their school days during the 2021-2022 academic year. This rise in absenteeism has had a detrimental impact on student learning and performance, necessitating effective intervention from schools.

The underlying causes of chronic absenteeism are complex, encompassing transportation challenges and personal circumstances. Addressing this issue demands a comprehensive understanding of contributing factors and the implementation of personalized support and intervention strategies.

Chronic absenteeism cannot be viewed in isolation, but rather as a reflection of broader systemic issues within our education system. It underscores the lack of student engagement, the need for better support for educators, and the gap between schools and their communities.

In light of the increasing rates of chronic absenteeism and its complex underlying causes, educators must harness technology to support personalized learning and proactively address the socio-economic and community-related challenges contributing to attendance issues.

To delve into this critical topic, the recent Experts Talk roundtable, hosted by Daniel Litwin, the Voice of B2B, featured insightful discussions with education experts Marie Saleh, Marissa Johnston, and Christy Spivey. They explored the role of technology in enhancing educational outcomes and efficiency, focusing on various aspects and strategies for its effective implementation in the educational sector.

The roundtable discussion covered several key areas, including the evolution from traditional to innovative education models, the role of technology in addressing chronic absenteeism through data analytics and AI, as well as the challenges and opportunities in implementing educational technology.

Marie Saleh, a former educator and design educator at Canva, brought a unique perspective to the discussion, combining her expertise in edtech with her background in teaching, to highlight the intersection of technology and education, particularly in enhancing student engagement and reducing absenteeism.

Marissa Johnston, with her experience as a former educator and education consultant at Firefly Tutors, provided valuable insights into the practical application of technology in education, with a focus on student-centric approaches and personalized learning.

Christy Spivey, a former educator and the current SVP of Customer Success at Istation, offered deep insights into the challenges and opportunities in educational technology. Her experience in developing and implementing edtech solutions provided valuable perspectives on how technology can revolutionize education.

In conclusion, it is evident that addressing chronic absenteeism requires a multi-faceted approach that leverages technology to support personalized learning and proactively address the underlying socio-economic and community-related challenges. By embracing tech-driven, student-focused models, educators can effectively tackle chronic absenteeism and improve student outcomes in the long run.