If you’re like most K-12 schools, you continue to face challenges with students not coming to school resulting in chronic absenteeism. And the efforts you mount to combat chronic absenteeism will make a difference. Know that you’re not alone in your initiatives to re-engage and inspire student attendance.
More importantly, recognize that the time and investments you make today will have a lasting impact on future student attendance. Research shows that just by eliminating ten absences a year, you can support growth in the number of students who graduate from high school and enroll in college.
Explore new ways to manage chronic absenteeism in your school and find inspiration with ideas that work for other districts like yours. School furniture plays a role in supporting your student attendance efforts, too. Keep reading to learn more.
What to know about K-12 students and absenteeism
The road to learning recovery is long. But chronic absenteeism continues to be a top focus for K-12 districts nationwide because it’s still a substantial problem.
As Brookings discusses, there’s been a surge in chronic absenteeism occurring “at least once” along with “repeatedly” for K-12 students.
There are positive outcomes, though, too.
Roughly one-third of students have recovered what they lost during the pandemic and four states have met or exceeded their pre-pandemic achievements in 2023: Alabama, Illinois, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Several other states currently accelerate their learning recovery and address chronic absenteeism with targeted strategies. The improvements are substantial, as ChalkBeat points out:
Connecticut: Reduced chronic absenteeism from 23.7% (2021-22) to 17.7%, aiming to cut another six points in two years.
Virginia: Lowered absenteeism from 20.1% to 16.1% through a statewide task force, targeting a six-point further reduction.
Rhode Island: Dropped absenteeism from 34.1% to 24.7% with a comprehensive strategy, needing 7.7 more points to reach its goal.
New Mexico: Reduced absenteeism from 40.7% to 32.8%, still 12.4 points away from its target.
So, while outcomes and absenteeism still aren’t back to where they were pre-pandemic, so many K-12 districts continue to find new ways to accelerate learning recovery.
Common challenges for K-12 students
Pew Research Center interviewed K-12 teachers and asked them what top problems students were facing today. The answers sadly won’t surprise you:
Poverty (53%)
Chronic absenteeism – (49%)
Anxiety and depression (48%)
On a good note, there are strategies that can help solve some of these challenges, like peer collaboration, inclusive learning spaces with new classroom furniture, and community engagement. This multi-pronged approach to addressing K-12 absenteeism can work for your students, as well.
What are classroom management strategies that support attendance
Looking for some tried and true strategies to combat chronic absenteeism, boost student engagement, and accelerate learning recovery?
Try these methods that often work well for other schools:
Establish attendance expectations: Let students and families know how important attendance is by using all forms of communication like social media, texting, and newsletters.
Engage the community: Reach out to your local community and see if they can offer any incentives for boosting student attendance. Try not to think in terms of perfect attendance because that just hurts the students who need it most. Focus more on increased attendance.
Create safe and inclusive learning spaces: Help students form a deeper connection with the school and classroom by incorporating the right furniture and technology for the space.
Suggestions for improved collaboration and engagement
Want to create spaces where students can connect and communicate? Try adding bean bag chairs or floor cushions to build a cozy connection corner.
Foster teamwork by trying these collaborative white board tables that easily come together for a group project.
Or go cutting edge with Esports. Esports at school are more popular than ever before. Connect STEM and gaming in fun new ways with Esports furniture and equipment.
How school furniture can help manage classroom distractions
High-energy students who struggle with concentration can be distracting for everyone. Help them channel that energy into something positive by incorporating some inclusive furniture into the classroom.
When students feel welcomed and accepted for who they are, there’s a higher likelihood they’ll show up for class. Make your K-12 classroom a vibrant and energizing space with colorful classroom rugs and flexible seating options.
For another example, this adjustable height wobble stool features a non-slip, curved base with a broad range of motion so even the most energetic in your class can stay comfortable and focused during class.
Or perhaps some wiggle wobble chair feet would be the perfect fit for your classroom. These are ideal for active learners so they can silently expend energy without disrupting others.
How to enhance inclusive learning for K-12 students
Consider these inclusive learning furnishings designed to bring students back to the classroom.
Change up your cafeteria with these mobile circular tables, and pick a color that goes with your school colors!
Create a Zen den or study pod so students who get easily over-stimulated have somewhere safe and peaceful to go.
Explore comfortable lounge seating and soft seating, welcoming for any common area or classroom.
Or create your own completely customizable learning space that fits your students’ needs and preferences.
Best classroom management strategies to combat absenteeism
As always, building relationships is the best intrinsic way to combat absenteeism in the classroom. Prodigy shares a few strategies that work well across various age levels. Try incorporating one or more of the following:
Encourage initiative: You’re always going to have students at different levels of learning. Encourage those who want to work ahead – it might encourage other students to do the same!
Offer praise: Looking for repeatable good behavior? This is the way to do it. Sincere praise can really help a student’s self-confidence.
Make positive letters and phone calls: Surprising parents with random moments of praise for their child is a great way to build connections.
Collaborative and inclusive classroom layouts to know
When you want to create a collaborative and inclusive classroom designed to support your absenteeism initiatives, look no further than School Outfitters! We know how to build the perfect classroom layout and seating arrangements for all classroom types. There’s a reason why 97% of the top 1,000 districts are our repeat customers. We make every step of the room design and product ordering process a breeze with quick shipping, contracts and co-op savings, and more. Whether you’re looking for one wobble chair or have plans to outfit all your K-12 spaces, we have the people, room design tools, and renderings for inspiration to help.
School Outfitters can help you support student attendance and engagement
One quick chat with our school furnishings experts, and you’ll know the exact products you need, within your budget, to create an inclusive space and combat absenteeism in your classroom. Contact your region’s dedicated furniture expert or get a free quote today!
