Circle Forum

Secondary student absenteeism is a concern in all school districts.  We’re working with one district to use restorative conferences for student attendance.  It takes courage to be open and vulnerable to something new and something that is scripted.  And it works! The restorative conference for attendance moves the conversation from compliance - we expect you to be here and here’s the consequence for not attending - to a collaborative problem solving approach - each one of us has a role to play in student attendance and a responsibility for a plan of action to address absenteeism.  It takes preparation and planning, a scripted restorative conference then a follow up to the agreed upon actions.

Find out more about our work from [email protected] or check out our website www.restorative.ca

Keywords Chronic Absenteeism,Secondary school attendance, Restorative Conferences,Restorative Practices,Collaborative problem solving, School-Parent Relationships,Student Attendance,Teacher-Parent Collaboration

Educators know the importance of parental involvement in student success.  What if we started with parents in primary grades with the intention of addressing student attendance? We are involved in just that. It’s important to make intentional connections with parents, specifically those of at-risk students facing chronic absenteeism. Understanding these early patterns in a child's attendance is key and  we’re looking at the pivotal role parents play from kindergarten to grade three student attendance.  Find out more about our work from [email protected] or check out our website www.restorative.ca

Keywords Chronic Absenteeism,Early Education, Parental Engagement,Restorative Practices,School-Parent Relationships,Student Attendance,Teacher-Parent Collaboration

Attendance data drives the changes.  With the data we were given, our research did not show a statistical difference between students engaged in the intervention ATSA:TWO by TEN and the control group.  And yet we heard some terrific stories of collaboration behind the data.  One participant said ‘very early in our learning, we had talked about the checklist for absenteeism and the protective and risk factors. So we had brought that to our staff meeting We had shared that as part of a resource that we would want to incorporate into our attendance folders (in order) to help us for those targeted students identify, what are the risk factors and the protective factors that those kids are struggling with? And then that allowed us to better understand those particular students and their needs and how we could support them.” And there are many more stories worth reading!

Read research report here

Keywords Education, Student success, Data-driven, Academic growth, Attendance tracking, Restorative Practices, Innovative strategies,Collaborative approaches

Recent Canadian attendance research unpacks the transformative journey of educators in enhancing student attendance and the intentional impact on adults. Educators share their experiences in fostering meaningful connections with adults, leveraging data insights, and redefining their role in motivating students. Be sure to read the stories of impact and change  from the research participant and the small yet significant steps that educators are taking to make a lasting difference. Visit our website www.restorative.ca. 

Read the Research Report here.

https://restorative.ca/resources/addressing-absenteeism/attendance-research-projectattending-to-student-absenteeism-two-by-ten/

Keywords Educator impact, Data analysis in education, Relationship building in schools, Student attendance strategies, Educator-student connections, Intentional interactions in education, Parental engagement in schools, Building meaningful school connections

“The one student in grade7 that…had no connection, behaviour problem,… moved around from school to school and he said that he had no connection to anyone at this school …And you see that person walking around the hall today and the amount of growth that person has shown is tremendous.” That’s how one participant in our Attendance Research Project described the impact of building a connection with a student at risk of absenteeism.  Our research showed us some unexpected statistics and highlights the pivotal role of genuine connections in shaping students' school experiences. From heartwarming success stories to insightful reflections on the complex factors influencing attendance, this podcast gives another perspective on student-teacher relationships. We explore how relationships serve as the cornerstone for a thriving school environment and the intricate ways in which they impact student attendance. Read the research report Part 2 here.

Keywords:  Education, student success, building relationships, absenteeism, student attendance, restorative practices, attendance matters

Educational research on attendance in Northwestern Ontario provides school administrators with an understanding of the multifaceted challenges surrounding the implementation of educational research and restorative practices. Emphasizing the critical need for flexibility in timing and the integration of research initiatives within annual school plans, this podcast navigates the complexities of technology utilization and data reporting, underlining the pivotal role of fostering meaningful connections within educational communities. The first of a four part research report is a valuable resource for educators seeking to address student absenteeism and cultivate a nurturing learning environment using restorative practices.

Link to research

https://restorative.ca/resources/addressing-absenteeism/attendance-research-project-attending-to-student-absenteeism-two-by-ten/

Keywords: restorative practices, addressing absenteeism, attendance research project, student absenteeism, two by ten, educational research, student attendance

Are outdated attendance data challenges slowing down our schools’ post-pandemic recovery? In this podcast, we unravel the critical intersection of attendance data and recovery. Obsolete attendance data has repercussions according to the article Outdated Data on Chronic Absenteeism is Slowing Pandemic School Recovery.   From the struggles of accessing real-time attendance data to fostering transparent conversations around the numbers, we need  a transformative approach to data sharing. The HOW TO lies in restorative practices which can pave the way for meaningful discussions without blaming. Check out our website for more information on restorative practices www.restorative.ca

Keywords: Absenteeism, Learning Loss, School Recovery, Outdated Data, COVID Impact, Transparency, Real-time Data, Accountability, Restorative Practices

Most educational administrators we’ve met are passionate about fostering a nurturing learning environment.  Our latest podcast episode delves into the pressing issue of the silent crisis of student mental health and absenteeism. From the intricate dynamics of chronic absenteeism to the pivotal role of multi-agency collaboration, our conversation sheds light on some crucial steps needed to redefine the landscape of student well-being. Discover actionable insights and transformative strategies to empower your educational community through restorative practices. Visit our website www.restorative.ca

Read the full article here entitled Virginia’s silent crisis: Student mental health:  State study finds half of all middle school students and two-thirds of high school students are nervous, anxious, or on edge. Ten percent of middle school students and thirteen percent of high school students indicated that they had seriously considered suicide in the last twelve months.

Keywords: StudentWellBeing, MentalHealthMatters, EducationalSupport,RestorativeApproach, MultiAgencyCollaboration, SchoolCommunity, EmpoweringChange, EducationalInnovation, BuildingConnections, TransformingEducation, 

There’s an important and  fascinating shift in parental perceptions on school attendance post-COVID. This podcast conversation touches on crucial questions about the evolving educational landscape and its impact on our children's future based on the article Parents in England no longer see daily school attendance as vital, report finds:Research finds breakdown in parents’ social contract with schools since Covid lockdowns and cost of living crisis

 Engage with us to explore the dynamics of absenteeism, the need for rethinking traditional school structures, and the crucial role of collaborative conversations. For more information, check out our website www.restorative.ca

Let’s reshape the narrative together! 

Keywords:  Education, ParentalPerspectives, FutureReady,school attendance and absence, schools, children parents of student 16 and under, parents and parenting, England, news

Read the full article herehttps://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/sep/21/parents-in-england-no-longer-see-daily-school-attendance-as-vital-report-finds#:~:text=Overall%20absence%20in%20schools%20in,range%20of%20interventions%20by%20ministers.

It's time to shatter the chains of old-school thinking in education. Take a listen to a paradigm shift that's been making waves—schools adopting a non-punitive approach to tackle chronic absenteeism. The journey from punitive measures to fostering genuine connections is rife with insights, and our hosts, Stan, Steve, and Shelley, are your guides. They explore the transformative power of restorative practices, trauma-informed responses, and the art of asking questions that can truly change lives. If you're ready to challenge the norms and embark on a journey towards a more compassionate and effective education system, you're in the right place! For more information on trauma-informed restorative practices, visit our website www.restorative.ca   

Read the full article Schools using nonpunitive approaches to tackle chronic absenteeism: Compliance-driven attendance policies are being replaced by trauma-informed practices and family engagement activities.

Keywords: Non-punitive approach, Chronic absenteeism, Trauma-informed response, Restorative practices, Compliance mindset, Parent engagement, School community, Student success, Education paradigm shift, Absenteeism solutions