How Ohio Schools Reduced Chronic Absenteeism
Source: https://phys.org/
Ohio schools are tackling chronic absenteeism, which worsened during the pandemic, with a positive approach to discipline introduced by the 2018 House Bill 318. This law, known as the Supporting Alternatives for Fair Education Act, emphasizes prevention over punishment and encourages using “positive behavior interventions and supports” (PBIS) to improve student behavior and school environments.
According to a study funded by a School Climate Transformation Grant, Ohio schools implementing PBIS saw chronic absenteeism decrease by about 5.4 percentage points compared to those that did not use this approach. Despite an overall increase in absenteeism during the pandemic, PBIS schools fared better. The state is continuing efforts to combat absenteeism with initiatives like the Chronic Absenteeism Improvement Indicator.
The positive discipline approach includes clear rules, teacher training, and support, aiming to foster a supportive environment that improves student engagement and reduces absences. While not a complete solution, it represents a promising strategy in addressing chronic absenteeism.
As a co-leader of the Miami University research team, I found that Ohio’s implementation of positive behavior interventions has led to improved student outcomes, including reduced chronic absenteeism. Our research, funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, analyzed data from 2018 to 2023, showing that the positive approach to discipline, supported by policy changes and practical training, can serve as a model for other states struggling with attendance issues.
Before the pandemic, chronic absenteeism was already a significant issue in Ohio’s K-12 schools. The pandemic exacerbated this problem, leading to a substantial increase in absentee rates. For schools using positive discipline, absenteeism rose from 16.67% in 2018–19 to 27.93% in 2022–23, a 68% increase. In contrast, schools not using this approach saw absenteeism jump from 19.52% to 33.33% over the same period, a 71% increase.
In the 2022–23 school year, Ohio’s chronic absenteeism rate slightly decreased to 26.8%, but it remains a serious issue. In response, the Ohio Department of Education intensified efforts to address absenteeism by implementing the Chronic Absenteeism Improvement Indicator, which assesses districts’ progress against improvement benchmarks. This initiative is part of the new star rating system and complements the SAFE Act and positive behavioral approaches aimed at enhancing the learning environment and boosting student engagement.
Read More: https://ohio.childreninfobank.com/safebank/how-ohio-schools-reduced-chronic-absenteeism/
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