Family and Community Engagement as a Key Driver of Reduced Chronic Absenteeism in Community Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 3:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Equitable Community Partnership for Educational Research

Abstract

This study identifies Whole Child and Family Support domains most strongly associated with reducing chronic absenteeism during the early implementation of California’s $4.1 billion Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP). Longitudinal data from 396 Cohort 1 schools examine relationships between school-reported implementation across six domains and changes in absenteeism from Year 1 to Year 2. Regression analyses reveal that increased implementation of Community, Family, and Student Engagement significantly correlates with reduced absenteeism; other domains had weaker or non-significant effects. These findings highlight the crucial role of family-school partnerships in improving attendance and inform strategic investments in large-scale whole-child initiatives. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers prioritizing effective elements of complex community school interventions.

Authors

• Dandan Yang, University of California - Los Angeles

• Nadia M. Sabat Bass, University of California - Los Angeles

• Marisa Saunders, University of California - Los Angeles