Jeremy Singer
@jeremylsinger.bsky.social
Assistant professor of education leadership and policy at University of Michigan-Flint @umflintcase.bsky.social. Views are my own. Please excuse typos.
A great insight from Sam Hollon and Nat Malkus about predicting chronic absenteeism: if you know whether a student was chronically absent last year, that's almost as good as knowing their attendance through the first half of the year! (87% vs. 91% accuracy)
www.aei.org/research-pro...
www.aei.org/research-pro...
October 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A great insight from Sam Hollon and Nat Malkus about predicting chronic absenteeism: if you know whether a student was chronically absent last year, that's almost as good as knowing their attendance through the first half of the year! (87% vs. 91% accuracy)
www.aei.org/research-pro...
www.aei.org/research-pro...
Quick look at the data! The highest-absenteeism districts have continued to make the most progress, at this point improving upon their pre-pandemic baseline.
September 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Quick look at the data! The highest-absenteeism districts have continued to make the most progress, at this point improving upon their pre-pandemic baseline.
We found that when students missed healthcare that they needed, this was associated with an additional absence, even after controlling for students' underlying health conditions, health insurance status, and a host of other student- and school-related factors.
September 10, 2025 at 12:55 AM
We found that when students missed healthcare that they needed, this was associated with an additional absence, even after controlling for students' underlying health conditions, health insurance status, and a host of other student- and school-related factors.
The national survey of children's health includes a question about how many days the child was absent from school due to injury or illness. It also includes a question about whether the child ever failed to receive healthcare when needed.
September 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
The national survey of children's health includes a question about how many days the child was absent from school due to injury or illness. It also includes a question about whether the child ever failed to receive healthcare when needed.
Now published in the Journal of School Health, @wcastillophd.bsky.social and I drew upon national survey data to look at the relationship between missing healthcare when needed and student attendance.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
September 10, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Now published in the Journal of School Health, @wcastillophd.bsky.social and I drew upon national survey data to look at the relationship between missing healthcare when needed and student attendance.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Includes our new report on school attendance strategies in Michigan: detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
September 8, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Includes our new report on school attendance strategies in Michigan: detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
Notably, however, perceptions of parental motivation or misconceptions didn't vary by prior absenteeism level. This further highlights the wide reach of these negative/deficit-based perceptions of parents.
August 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Notably, however, perceptions of parental motivation or misconceptions didn't vary by prior absenteeism level. This further highlights the wide reach of these negative/deficit-based perceptions of parents.
We also found major differences in school leader perceptions by chronic absenteeism rate. SES issues like lack of transportation were more prevalent in higher-absenteeism contexts (with these likely crowding out other options like mental and physical health given their salience).
August 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
We also found major differences in school leader perceptions by chronic absenteeism rate. SES issues like lack of transportation were more prevalent in higher-absenteeism contexts (with these likely crowding out other options like mental and physical health given their salience).
The perceptions of barriers diverged for high school versus elementary/middle school, in the ways you'd expect. More emphasis on parents and also on illness for younger students; more emphasis on students themselves and other older-kid responsibilities for high school.
August 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The perceptions of barriers diverged for high school versus elementary/middle school, in the ways you'd expect. More emphasis on parents and also on illness for younger students; more emphasis on students themselves and other older-kid responsibilities for high school.
Finally, we did ask school leaders about the barriers to attendance they perceive as most common. (They selected up to 5). Unfortunately, the results show that negative perceptions of parents (i.e., lack of motivation, misconceptions) are pervasive. Mental health and SES issues were also prevalent.
August 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Finally, we did ask school leaders about the barriers to attendance they perceive as most common. (They selected up to 5). Unfortunately, the results show that negative perceptions of parents (i.e., lack of motivation, misconceptions) are pervasive. Mental health and SES issues were also prevalent.
Only 47% of school leaders said that their districts provide guidance on attendance strategies. Of those, most only found the guidance "somewhat" helpful (rather than "very" helpful).
August 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Only 47% of school leaders said that their districts provide guidance on attendance strategies. Of those, most only found the guidance "somewhat" helpful (rather than "very" helpful).
School leaders typically reported participating in attendance-related activities on a monthly basis, through some said less frequent (yearly) and others more frequently (daily/weekly). School leaders were more frequently involved in higher-absenteeism schools.
August 21, 2025 at 4:46 PM
School leaders typically reported participating in attendance-related activities on a monthly basis, through some said less frequent (yearly) and others more frequently (daily/weekly). School leaders were more frequently involved in higher-absenteeism schools.
Next up, organizational systems. Data systems for attendance patterns are fairly common, as are MTSS approaches to organizing attendance efforts. Organizational systems like MTSS and attendance teams are more common in higher-absenteeism settings.
August 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Next up, organizational systems. Data systems for attendance patterns are fairly common, as are MTSS approaches to organizing attendance efforts. Organizational systems like MTSS and attendance teams are more common in higher-absenteeism settings.
What specific practices are schools using? Communication-based practices and other "nudges" are fairly common. Some efforts to address out-of-school barriers are more common than others. Mental health is a major focus! Discrete efforts to improve student experiences are not as common.
August 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
What specific practices are schools using? Communication-based practices and other "nudges" are fairly common. Some efforts to address out-of-school barriers are more common than others. Mental health is a major focus! Discrete efforts to improve student experiences are not as common.
We have a ton of interesting findings throughout the study. I'll highlight some of the results in this thread. First up, who says that attendance is a priority for them? Slightly more often in HS than elementary/middle; and more common in higher-absenteeism schools.
August 21, 2025 at 4:40 PM
We have a ton of interesting findings throughout the study. I'll highlight some of the results in this thread. First up, who says that attendance is a priority for them? Slightly more often in HS than elementary/middle; and more common in higher-absenteeism schools.
NEW: We conducted a survey of all school leaders in Michigan in 2024-25 about their attendance strategies. Our report offers the most comprehensive evidence thus far of what schools are actively doing to reduce chronic absenteeism. @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
August 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
NEW: We conducted a survey of all school leaders in Michigan in 2024-25 about their attendance strategies. Our report offers the most comprehensive evidence thus far of what schools are actively doing to reduce chronic absenteeism. @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
NEIGHBORHOODS: strengthening neighborhood conditions for families with school-aged children.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
We hope that these fact sheets can help inform better coordination between municipal and educational policy in the city!
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
We hope that these fact sheets can help inform better coordination between municipal and educational policy in the city!
July 18, 2025 at 1:25 PM
NEIGHBORHOODS: strengthening neighborhood conditions for families with school-aged children.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
We hope that these fact sheets can help inform better coordination between municipal and educational policy in the city!
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
We hope that these fact sheets can help inform better coordination between municipal and educational policy in the city!
TRANSPORTATION: strengthening the infrastructure for school transportation and improving the conditions for students on the way to school.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
July 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
TRANSPORTATION: strengthening the infrastructure for school transportation and improving the conditions for students on the way to school.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
Then, we tackle three topics that are central to the experiences and opportunities of students and families.
HOUSING: creating more affordable housing and coordinating with schools to address housing instability.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
HOUSING: creating more affordable housing and coordinating with schools to address housing instability.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
July 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Then, we tackle three topics that are central to the experiences and opportunities of students and families.
HOUSING: creating more affordable housing and coordinating with schools to address housing instability.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
HOUSING: creating more affordable housing and coordinating with schools to address housing instability.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
First, an overview of Detroit's K-12 school system. How many students live in Detroit? Where do they go to school? How many schools are there? And how many districts? What is the mayor’s role in education? We answer these questions and more.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
July 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
First, an overview of Detroit's K-12 school system. How many students live in Detroit? Where do they go to school? How many schools are there? And how many districts? What is the mayor’s role in education? We answer these questions and more.
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
I'm very concerned about this! Emily Gutierrez at @urbaninstitute.bsky.social wrote a very good summary of the issue here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
Could be a good reason for states to explore additional data linkages (e.g., income tax data) to administratively identify free lunch eligibility.
Could be a good reason for states to explore additional data linkages (e.g., income tax data) to administratively identify free lunch eligibility.
May 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
I'm very concerned about this! Emily Gutierrez at @urbaninstitute.bsky.social wrote a very good summary of the issue here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
Could be a good reason for states to explore additional data linkages (e.g., income tax data) to administratively identify free lunch eligibility.
Could be a good reason for states to explore additional data linkages (e.g., income tax data) to administratively identify free lunch eligibility.
New report shows ~70% of CA districts offer a school bus but only ~30% are eligible to ride. Also, shifting from school bus to public transit substantially increases student commute times.
www.metrans.org/assets/resea...
www.metrans.org/assets/resea...
May 26, 2025 at 10:23 AM
New report shows ~70% of CA districts offer a school bus but only ~30% are eligible to ride. Also, shifting from school bus to public transit substantially increases student commute times.
www.metrans.org/assets/resea...
www.metrans.org/assets/resea...
Now an @annenberginstitute.bsky.social working paper: "Remote Learning in 2020-21 and Student Attendance Since the COVID-19 Pandemic." edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1196
I find "exposure to remote learning may explain a part of the decline in student attendance post-pandemic, but only a small part."
I find "exposure to remote learning may explain a part of the decline in student attendance post-pandemic, but only a small part."
May 13, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Now an @annenberginstitute.bsky.social working paper: "Remote Learning in 2020-21 and Student Attendance Since the COVID-19 Pandemic." edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1196
I find "exposure to remote learning may explain a part of the decline in student attendance post-pandemic, but only a small part."
I find "exposure to remote learning may explain a part of the decline in student attendance post-pandemic, but only a small part."
Another important point from the report: the modest impact of this nudge is comparable to other interventions but at much lower cost
April 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Another important point from the report: the modest impact of this nudge is comparable to other interventions but at much lower cost