Addressing the Causes of Absenteeism and Devising Practical Solutions

Description

Addressing the Causes of Absenteeism and Devising Practical Solutions
3 In-service Credits/ 45 hours, Instructor Valerie Hanley, January 3-30, February 1-28,  March 1-30, April 1-30, May 1-30, June 1-30, July 1-30, August 1-30

In the past few years, absenteeism rates have increased dramatically in schools throughout the country. In this course, you will research the causes of absenteeism; learn more about how chronic absenteeism affects students, families, and school communities; communicate with families, students, and colleagues to share your findings and strategies to reduce absenteeism rates; find innovative ways to increase student and family engagement; and work with other educators in the course and in your school and local community to develop programs that keep students in school. Course participants will actively participate in an online learning community to further develop their understanding of the causes and effects of absenteeism and work together to devise solutions that suit their individual needs and situations.

Topics of study will include: an overview of absenteeism in schools; research work in their school and local community; academic, social-emotional, and external reasons for absenteeism and possible solutions; finding ways to communicate and work with students, families, and colleagues to reduce the effects of absenteeism; and choosing teaching strategies that help reduce absenteeism and increase engagement. Class activities will include forum discussions and activities, lesson/activity/event planning, reflection work, research work to identify causes and effects of absenteeism, informational resource and survey design work, and other activities and research related to approaching the causes and effects of absenteeism in innovative ways. This course is appropriate for educators in all content areas.