(NewsUSA) - School absenteeism remains a significant problem in the United States. Long-term improvement in attendance requires reframing the problem as more than a compliance issue, according to Concentric Educational Solutions, an organization that collaborates with school systems and community partners nationwide to identify and address barriers to school attendance.

Instead, data support the importance of addressing the often-unrecognized barriers faced by many families, including health challenges, housing instability, transportation logistics, and lack of connection to their school community, as a way to reduce chronic school absenteeism.

To highlight current challenges to school attendance, Concentric Educational Solutions released a white paper, “Redefining the Attendance Paradigm,” which outlined the scope of the problem. In the 2021-2022 school year, 4.7 million students were chronically absent. These rates were nearly double pre-pandemic levels, and affected every demographic group, indicating a long-term problem exacerbated by the short-term pandemic disruption.

“True solutions will come from innovative, compassionate leaders who understand that a story is just as valuable as a number,” said Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D., Chief of Research at Concentric Educational Solutions and lead author of the paper. The paper “challenges all stakeholders to abandon outdated, punitive measures and embrace human-centered strategies for long-term student success,” Toldson emphasized.

Some of the key takeaway messages of the report include:

-Economic impact. The reduced earning potential caused by chronic absenteeism costs the United States economy billions of dollars, including increased need for social services and reduced workforce readiness.

-Systemic causes. Contrary to popular belief, the main drivers of chronic absenteeism include poverty, housing instability, health issues, and school climate, rather than parental neglect or student defiance.

-Concentric solutions. The Concentric Model, based on a combination of home visits and wraparound support, has demonstrated more success in reducing chronic absenteeism than punitive measures, which have not been shown to improve attendance and disproportionately harm students in poverty and students of color.

Overall, the most successful strategies to combat chronic absenteeism involve engaging families, removing barriers, and building relationships, according to Toldson. Supporting children’s return to school and re-engagement in learning will allow them to find paths to their full potential, he said.

To read the full paper and learn more, visit concentriced.org.