Chronic Absenteeism in the School-Prison Nexus.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Chronic Absenteeism in the School-Prison Nexus.
Authors:	Bear Mahowald, James, Winchell Lenhoff, Sarah, Edwards, Erica B., Singer, Jeremy
Source:	High School Journal. Summer2023, Vol. 106 Issue 4, p274-288. 15p.
Subjects:	School districts, School size, School attendance, School absenteeism, State departments of education
Abstract:	Since the incorporation of student chronic absenteeism rates into state school accountability systems after the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, schools have adopted new practices to improve student attendance and decrease chronic absenteeism. Some of these practices borrow features from behavior management systems such as tiering students, differentiating support and consequences, and taking disciplinary action. This qualitative case study examines how attendance management practices are designed and implemented in a large urban school district and explores the empirical and conceptual relationship between student behavior and attendance management within the "school-prison nexus." We use interviews with parents, high school students, and staff charged with reducing chronic absenteeism to demonstrate how managing students' attendance through intervention plans, student monitoring, and threats of legal action have implicit and explicit parallels to the management of student behavior in schools and could be considered a potential mechanism through which the school-prison nexus functions. We conclude with implications for schools and districts as they seek ways to reduce chronic absenteeism without contributing to the over-surveillance and punishment of high school youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Since the incorporation of student chronic absenteeism rates into state school accountability systems after the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, schools have adopted new practices to improve student attendance and decrease chronic absenteeism. Some of these practices borrow features from behavior management systems such as tiering students, differentiating support and consequences, and taking disciplinary action. This qualitative case study examines how attendance management practices are designed and implemented in a large urban school district and explores the empirical and conceptual relationship between student behavior and attendance management within the "school-prison nexus." We use interviews with parents, high school students, and staff charged with reducing chronic absenteeism to demonstrate how managing students' attendance through intervention plans, student monitoring, and threats of legal action have implicit and explicit parallels to the management of student behavior in schools and could be considered a potential mechanism through which the school-prison nexus functions. We conclude with implications for schools and districts as they seek ways to reduce chronic absenteeism without contributing to the over-surveillance and punishment of high school youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	00181498
DOI:	10.1353/hsj.2023.a930440