Date & Time: Wednesday, March 25, 2026聽at 2 p.m. ET
Chronic absenteeism has surged in recent years 鈥 and the window to intervene may be smaller than we think. Join HopSkipDrive and University of Michigan researcher Tiffany Wu, co-author of the groundbreaking new study “The Chronic(les) of Absenteeism Measurement,” as she shares findings that challenge the widely used 10% absence benchmark and make the case for identifying at-risk students earlier.
With standardized testing seasons raising the stakes for consistent attendance, schools and districts can’t afford to wait.
In this webinar, we’ll explore what the latest research tells us about how absence patterns develop from Pre-K through 8th grade, why the current chronic absenteeism threshold may be missing students who need support, and how reliable, personalized transportation can serve as a powerful early intervention 鈥 helping ensure students show up, engage, and perform when it matters most.
Bonus:聽Attendees who join the live event will be able to participate in a ThoughtExchange workshop to share and rank the best practices from their peers on chronic absenteeism.***
Key Takeaways
- Absenteeism Measurement:聽Why the standard “missing 10% of school days” benchmark may underestimate academic risk for many students
- Research-backed Strategies:聽Earlier intervention best practices and how to use attendance data as a more effective early warning signal before absences compound
- Academic Achievement Link:聽How attendance impacts academic performance 鈥 particularly as a high-stakes testing windows approach
- Transportation as an Intervention:聽How addressing logistical barriers to getting to school can meaningfully reduce chronic absenteeism
- ***Live 5-minute Workshop:聽Audience participation will generate reports showing the common ground and differences among district leaders, the summary of highest and lowest rated best practices, the top themes, potential next steps, and a SWOT analysis
Speakers
Tiffany Wu, Research Fellow, University of Michigan’s Combined Program in Education and Psychology (CPEP)
Machion Jackson, Deputy Superintendent, Operations, Detroit Public Schools Community District (MI)
Sponsored by
