Tackling Chronic Absenteeism: Insights from Migdalia Garcia
Episode Overview
Chronic absenteeism can start as early as third grade. Socio-economic factors significantly impact student attendance. Building one-on-one relationships with students fosters engagement. Supportive school environments are crucial for student success. Parental involvement is key to addressing absenteeism.
It's not programs that are transforming lives, it's relationships.
Chronic absenteeism and school drop-out rates are pressing issues that many parents and educators grapple with. In this episode of 'Conversations That Matter', host Tina George welcomes Migdalia Garcia from Communities in Schools of Eastern PA to shed light on these critical topics. Migdalia, a seasoned professional with six years at CIS, shares eye-opening statistics and practical advice for keeping students engaged and ensuring their success in school.
She explains that truancy isn't just a high school problem; it can start as early as third grade. Migdalia discusses the importance of understanding the reasons behind absenteeism, such as socio-economic factors, family responsibilities, and even school climate. She emphasises the role of one-on-one relationships in fostering a sense of belonging and motivation among students. By sharing her personal experiences and success stories from CIS, Migdalia offers valuable insights into creating supportive environments that encourage students to stay in school.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or youth-serving professional, this episode provides actionable strategies to help address and reduce chronic absenteeism and drop-out rates. Tune in to learn how you can make a difference in a student's life.