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Students are likely to underperform academically when chronically absent from school, which can exasperate teachers. They might wonder what parents are doing about the problem or if they even know what’s going on. They are inclined to call the parent immediately to focus on the attendance concern. However, that outreach can push the parent away.

During the edLeader Panel “Improve Family Engagement and Attendance by Cultivating a Culture of Caring,” Lorri Hobson, former Director of ADM/Attendance for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (OH) and current Director of Product Development at Attendance Works, presented a conversation approach to addressing attendance issues that strengthens family engagement through mutually beneficial partnerships.

Creating a Culture of Caring

Supporting students with attendance challenges requires drawing parents into a meaningful, solutions-oriented partnership to help children succeed. The Caring Conversation for Attendance Process is a recommended strategy for constructively communicating with parents that can be used across communication modalities, including platforms such as ClassDojo (free for teachers, families, and students).

Parents are more likely to connect and follow up when they know they will converse with an adult who has the emotional capacity to support the student and family. Implementing the five-step process outlined below bolsters such engagement.

Step 1: Learn

Before reaching out to a parent, it’s essential to learn about the student to be discussed. Focus on discovering positive attributes.

Step 2: Share

Don’t begin a conversation with the parent about the attendance issue. Instead, share the positive qualities you discovered. Maybe the student is interested in math, which the parents could explore further (or it validates what they already know). Starting on a positive note sets the tone for participatory engagement.

Step 3: Inform

Now is the time to introduce the attendance concern. Find out when it is convenient to discuss the issue. Asking the parent what works for them strengthens the partnership and further illustrates respect. The teacher must commit to the agreed-upon time. Parents should be alerted to meeting changes. Follow-through is an essential element of a strong partnership with a parent.  

Step 4: Discuss

Give the parent an idea of what will be discussed before the conversation to enable them to prepare. Pausing and listening during the conversation is critical. Allow parents to share, then steer them back to the topic when needed to ensure the discussion is productive. Practice empathy; recognize and acknowledge their unique circumstances.

Step 5: Arrive at a plan

Finally, after discussing the attendance concern, devise a plan with the parent to address it. Remember, it’s a partnership designed to promote a student’s success. Discuss what comes next and what is doable, and create a check-in schedule to stay on track. Agree on strategy, setting clear parent and educator commitments (with both parties noting when they must change or cannot be met) to achieve the plan.

Sometimes, a plan requires additional expertise, like that of a social worker, who can better assist with issue-specific problem solving. In this instance, the trust developed with the parent can be transferred easily because the parent recognizes the teacher as a caring partner with their best interests in mind. The teacher’s role in this exchange is to ensure that the expert and the parent meet to address concerns productively.

Essential Practices

Effective communication and engagement with parents should be ongoing. Within and beyond the five-step process, build from the following practices and principles to nurture, reinforce, and sustain a productive partnership that fulfills a mutual goal: a child’s success.

• Keep in mind that the parent is the number one customer. They have expectations they want to meet. It matters when a parent does not have a positive experience. It ultimately breaks down the partnership developed to support students. The goal is to pull parents in, not push them away.
• Communication declines if a parent calls the school about concerns and experiences an off-putting response or interaction. In this case, an apology might be necessary, even if it is on behalf of the school. Mend rifts and misunderstandings where possible so the parent does not feel disregarded.
• Consider furthering parents’ decision-making capabilities. For instance, ask them to inform the design of an event or a survey.

The five-step process establishes a familiar protocol that parents expect. As a result, positive and healthy relationships are developed, apologies decrease, and a school’s climate and culture shift overall. Caring conversations should be a systematic approach throughout the school.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, Improve Family Engagement and Attendance by Cultivating a Culture of Caring, sponsored by ClassDojo.

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ClassDojo’s mission is to give every child on Earth an education they love. As the leading communication platform connecting teachers, families, and students—all for free—ClassDojo creates vibrant classroom communities where learning feels joyful and connected. Now, with ClassDojo for Districts, we’re bringing school communities even closer together. This innovative solution equips district leaders with tools to unify schools, streamline communication, and support every classroom. Whether it’s teachers sharing special moments, families staying in the loop, or district leaders shaping the future of education, ClassDojo helps everyone work together to create an environment where students thrive.

Article by Michele Israel, based on this edLeader Panel