Do New Kindergarten and First-Grade Teachers Feel Prepared to Address Student Absenteeism? Evidence From Statewide Survey Data

• In Event: Teacher Preparation, Pipelines, and Support

Abstract

Children in kindergarten and first grade are missing more school than at any other point during the elementary years. Limited work has focused on the role of teachers. We collected statewide data on elementary school teachers graduating from teacher preparation programs in the 2017-18 year in California. For teachers entering kindergarten or first grade classrooms, we find that teachers had a greater perceived understanding of chronic absenteeism when they perceived their licensure requirement and placements as being helpful in preparing to teach. We also find that teachers felt better prepared to address absenteeism when they felt stronger support from their university supervisors. In contrast, there are null findings for new teachers entering second through fifth grade classrooms.

Authors

• Michael A. Gottfried, University of Pennsylvania

• Jacob Kirksey, Texas Tech University

• Ethan L Hutt, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill