From Research to Recovery: Innovative Approaches for Promoting School Attendance from Australia

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium will highlight results from four research projects conducted in Australia that address the significant increase in chronic absenteeism (CA) post-pandemic and emphasize prevention, early intervention, and evidence-based practices. The first presentation of a rapid review study highlights multi-tiered interventions to improve attendance. The second discusses the feasibility of adapting the US-developed MTSS for School Attendance (MTSS-SA) framework to Australian schools. The third shares learnings from an exemplar co-designed case study to build prevention, early intervention, and supportive approaches for school avoidance in primary schools. The fourth highlights the In2School@School intervention for students needing Tier 3 support to return to school. Our discussant, an internationally-known scholar, will share her reflections and recommendations and facilitate the Q&A session.

Sub Unit

• SIG-School Effectiveness and School Improvement

Chair

• Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, Butler University

Papers

• Multi-Tiered Approaches to Improving School Attendance: A Review of the Evidence and Future Directions for Schools - Glenn Melvin, Deakin University

• Research to Repair: Feasibility Study of an MTSS Framework for School Attendance in Australian Schools - Patricia Graczyk, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Enabling School-Level Advances in School Avoidance at a Systems Level - Jon Quach, University of Melbourne

• In2School@school: Providing Educational Renewal for Students who are Chronically Absent - Lisa McKay-Brown, University of Melbourne

Discussant

• Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, Butler University