Outline: The Missing Link – Absenteeism & Connection (Interactive Session, 60 minutes)
1. Opening & Framing the Challenge (10 minutes)
Content: Present national absenteeism trends, highlight research linking belonging and engagement to attendance.
Engagement: Participants reflect individually on one student or group struggling with attendance.
Process: Quick write + turn-and-talk to share potential root causes.
2. Addressing the Missing Link-CORE Connection Framework (15 minutes)
Content: Explain the four Essential Connection Domains(Self, Others, Learning, Community) as a proactive lens to building school engagement.
Engagement: Use short stories/examples from schools to illustrate each domain.
Process: Interactive poll with a Google Survey, "Which domain feels the most and least developed in their context?"
3. Small-Group Application: Identifying Disconnection Points (20 minutes)
Content: Provide guiding questions for groups to analyze current attendance practices (letters, calls, incentives).
Engagement: Groups map disconnection points and brainstorm ways to embed proactive connection strategies.
Process: Small-group discussion + charting through Padlet.
4. Share-Out & Collective Strategy Building (10 minutes)
Content: Highlight common patterns across groups; facilitator shares research-aligned practices.
Engagement: Volunteer group representatives share 1–2 big ideas with the room.
Process: Facilitator captures takeaways live on the Padlet.
5. Call to Action & Personal Commitment (5 minutes)
Content: Summarize key research and strategies; emphasize Tier 1 as equity work.
Engagement: Each participant writes one actionable next step to take back and sends to self in an email.
Process: Option for partner accountability share.
After this session, participants will be able to;
*Examine chronic absenteeism through a proactive lens that centers on identifying root causes.
*Recognize how belonging and authentic experiences drive student attendance and engagement.
*Apply the CORE Connection framework, based on the four domains of connection (self, others, learning, and community), to address attendance challenges.
*Determine proactive next steps, within Tier 1 instruction, that foster belonging and engagement to improve attendance and student outcomes within their local context.
Supporting Research & References
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rg7h_woXARYj30Ho9dDbQDSJZH_VHQreeYOemKdM_0k/edit?usp=sharing
Back
Trips and Tours