Giving Compass' Take:

• Linda Jacobson highlights a study from the University of Nebraska that indicates that "justice involved" chronic absenteeism interventions make the largest impact on students who are more frequently absent. 

• How can funders help districts identify absenteeism interventions that are contextually appropriate? 

• Learn more about the chronic absenteeism problem in the U.S.

Interventions intended to improve attendance are more effective with students who miss the most school — at least 20% of the year — than they are with students who miss fewer days, according to a study by researchers at the University of Nebraska.

Appearing in the Justice Evaluation Journal, a publication of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the study shows that interventions — such as calling students’ homes, referring them to counselors, and creating individualized plans — reduced both excused and unexcused absences among those falling in the “Tier 3” category.

The study doesn’t necessarily provide guidance on which strategies were most effective, but the authors note that students in Tier 3 are more likely to be “justice involved” and that “most researchers advocate for a multidisciplinary approach that includes individual case management and ongoing support, as opposed to more punitive, single entity or one-size fits all approaches.”

Read the full article about absenteeism interventions by Linda Jacobson at Education Dive.