Chronic absenteeism is a crisis undermining student success in NYC and nationwide. The American Enterprise Institute reports that “Chronic absenteeism rates improved more slowly in 2024 than they did in 2023, raising the very real possibility that absenteeism rates might never return to pre-pandemic levels.” New Visions is working closely with educators to tackle this challenge head-on. Our work is driven by the core belief that every absence warrants a human response and that consistent 1:1 check-ins between students and trusted adults are essential. 

Our initiative with 12 of schools in our Affinity network has yielded a powerful three-pronged strategy that we believe can be a model for systemic change:

1. Data-Driven Feedback Loops: We use the Portal by New Visions to track real-time student attendance data. This year, we’ve dug deeper by pioneering systems that provide schools with real-time data on attendance for students who can statistically recover from being chronically absent. To make this data meaningful, we are specifically focusing on the metric of maintaining attendance within a target range of 0-2 absences per 10 days. This “pulse data” empowers schools to proactively identify and address potential issues, ensuring interventions are timely and effective. 

Meredith Phelan, Assistant Principal at Bronx High School for Law & Community Service, highlighted the impact of this approach: “Showing students their attendance data was the most powerful thing. When these students, many of whom had never seen their own attendance sheet, finally saw it, they had that ‘Oh, yeah, I was absent a lot’ moment. That’s usually the biggest eye-opener for them.”

2. Predictive Analytics for Targeted Support: We’re moving beyond simply reacting to absences. By using line graphs to project attendance trends for different student groups (categorized as conservative, moderate, and optimistic), we can anticipate which students are most at risk of ending the school year chronically absent, and tailor our interventions accordingly. 

AP Phelan noted the motivating effect of receiving consistent data updates from Jonathan Green, Continuous Improvement Coach at New Visions: “Jon’s consistent data updates and emails were incredibly motivating. They allowed us to see our progress from an outside perspective, highlighting the real impact our efforts were having. This external view was super helpful because when you’re in the thick of it, you don’t always take the time to step back and look at the data yourself.” 

3. Identifying and Scaling Best Practices: Data alone is not enough; qualitative factors are equally important. We are studying student-level data to identify outlier results, and then observing qualitative factors that might be contributing to this. By pinpointing the elements of successful 1:1 check-ins, we can equip all schools with the tools and techniques to foster meaningful connections with students and families. 

AP Phelan emphasizes the power of simple human connection: “Students respond to an adult simply noticing they are present. In a big high school where students can easily slip in and out unnoticed, realizing we do notice, and that they’ll be held accountable by their teachers, motivates students to show up every day.” She also observed a positive feedback loop once attendance improves: “The more they come, the more they come. There’s a real ‘fear of missing out’ effect; students feel like everyone else is showing up, and they don’t want to miss out on things.” This leads to broader academic and social benefits: “Once they start attending school more consistently, their classes get easier, their friendships improve—this is a huge factor in them wanting to be in school.” The positive impact extends to the adults in the school as well. 

Our work in NYC demonstrates that a data-centric approach, combined with a relentless focus on human connection, can drive significant improvements in attendance. We are confident that these learnings can be adapted and applied to schools across NYC and even serve as a blueprint for tackling chronic absenteeism on a national scale.