As school administrators continue to confront the persistent challenge of chronic absenteeism—an issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and now affecting nearly one in four students—new research highlights the critical role of student engagement in reversing this trend.
While many districts focus on attendance awareness campaigns and punitive measures to address absenteeism, the latest report from Brookings emphasizes that a deeper, more sustainable solution lies in fostering authentic engagement within schools and strengthening family-school partnerships.
The Engagement Gap: Perceptions Versus Reality
Drawing on a survey of over 65,000 students from grades 3 through 12 and nearly 2,000 parents, the Brookings report reveals a significant disconnect between how parents perceive their children’s school experiences and what students actually report. For example:
While 65% of parents believe their 10th-grade child loves school, only 26% of students say the same.
72% of parents think their children frequently learn a lot at school, yet only 44% of students agree.
Only 29% of students report learning about topics they are interested in, compared to 71% of parents who think their children do.
These findings illustrate a troubling reality: schools often fail to communicate with families about the true quality of students’ learning experiences, which can leave parents unaware of the need to actively support their children’s engagement.
The Role of Student Engagement in Digital Learning
The findings from Brookings align with global data, such as the PISA report which indicates that student engagement directly impacts both academic success and classroom behavior. However, engagement is not solely influenced by traditional classroom factors as the quality of digital learning environments also plays a pivotal role, particularly as schools increasingly integrate technology into daily instruction.
Deledao’s Case Studies within digital environments mirrors these trends. For instance, schools using Deledao’s AI-driven digital wellness tools report significantly lower levels of students attempting to access digitally distracting content suggesting that well-designed, supportive digital platforms can actually enhance students’ connection to learning as a means of counteracting the passive consumption of information often associated with online instruction.
Engagement as a Catalyst for Attendance and Belonging
The Brookings report defines engagement through a "four modes" framework, encompassing emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social engagement. Notably, only 39% of students surveyed feel a sense of belonging at school, a factor strongly linked to both engagement and attendance.
Administrators should recognize that fostering engagement is not just an academic goal but a strategy for combating absenteeism and that when students are genuinely interested in their learning and feel valued within their school communities, they are more likely to attend regularly and thrive.
Key Recommendations for K-12 Leaders
To address the engagement gap and improve the quality of digital and in-person learning environments, the Brookings report offers several actionable strategies:
Ask Students About Their Experiences: Incorporate regular student surveys to assess perceptions of their learning environments, using these insights to drive improvements.
Strengthen Family-School Partnerships: Shift the focus of family engagement efforts from attendance metrics to deeper conversations about the quality of students’ learning experiences.
Invest in Effective Digital Tools: Choose technologies that not only support instruction but also actively foster student participation, curiosity, and creativity.
Looking Forward
Chronic absenteeism and disengagement are complex challenges requiring multifaceted solutions. The prioritization of student engagement as a central focus of their strategies will help K-12 administrators create learning environments that not only bring students to school but also inspire them to stay, participate, and succeed.
This dual emphasis on quality education and meaningful connections—both in classrooms and in digital spaces—represents the path forward for schools committed to overcoming the challenges of today’s educational landscape. With the insights offered by the Brookings report and tools like Deledao, administrators have the opportunity to transform engagement into a cornerstone of student success.