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Taking a strengths-based approach, individual educators can make a difference in the lives of students at risk of chronic absenteeism. There are so many protective factors that educators can control and influence in order to improve student attendance and engagement.
Restorative suggestions:Reflect on your practice regularly using the restorative questions. Adults who are firm and fair give students structure and support to attend school. Ask questions to parents that build up strengths rather than blame parents.
Checklist of Attendance Protective Factors
Some of the protective factors that can mitigate and address absenteeism:
(Adapted from CHECK & CONNECT Protective Factors associated with school dropout, Regents of University of Minnesota, 2017)
student completes homework
student comes to class prepared
student has high locus of control
student has good self-concept
student has expectations for school completion
family- academic support for learning(e.g. help with homework)
family – motivational support for learning(e.g. high expectations for learning)
family – availability of educational resources
family – parental monitoring
school – orderly school environment
school – committed, caring teachers
school – fair discipline policies
school – relationship with one caring adult
school – opportunities for participation
Order Steve’s book The Restorative Principal Leading in Education with Restorative Practices
Visit CircleForum for more information about attending to student absenteeism.
Music – Scott Holmes Music – Upbeat Party