Allentown School District Joins Digital Promise’s Nationwide Cohort to Tackle Chronic Absenteeism

Alongside 16 other districts, the Allentown School District will partner with students and families to improve attendance. 

July 29, 2024 - Allentown, PA - The Allentown School District is proud to join Chronic Absenteeism: Insights and Innovations, a six-month program organized by the global education nonprofit Digital Promise to support school districts in addressing the complex issue of chronic absenteeism through a blend of rigorous research, district-community collaboration, and multi-tiered approaches.

Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days—surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly doubling during the 2021-22 school year. In 2023, about 1 in 4 students was chronically absent. This growing crisis has profound implications for student academic achievement, engagement, and future success, and a sobering analysis from the American Enterprise Institute suggests classroom attendance may not return to pre-COVID norms until 2030.

The Allentown School District is one of 17 districts in the cohort that will work alongside our own students and communities to investigate the underlying causes of chronic absenteeism and develop adaptive strategies to meet the unique needs of students and their families. The potential impact of this initiative is far-reaching, with the cohort representing more than 210,000 students across the country. (See the full list.) 

“We are thrilled to have been selected as a part of this diverse cohort in order to reduce chronic absenteeism in our District,” said Superintendent Dr. Carol D. Birks. “As outlined in our new Strategic Plan, one of our goals is to increase the number of students who attend school each day. This gives the Allentown School District the opportunity to join a group of forward-thinking, innovative leaders to define strategies to address a nationwide challenge in education.” 

The program, set to begin in August 2024, will be led by Digital Promise’s Center for Inclusive Innovation, which focuses on helping educators, students, families, and communities find solutions to complex challenges through co-leadership, co-research, and co-design processes. Chronic Absenteeism: Insights and Innovations will familiarize cohort districts with the Center for Inclusive Innovation’s proven research and development (R&D) model, connect them with leaders who have implemented impactful attendance tactics, and offer support with data analysis, systems, and community conditions mapping, and student design collaboration.

“The perspectives and ideas of students and their families are paramount in the process of creating sustainable solutions to chronic absenteeism,” said Dr. Baron Davis, senior advisor to Digital Promise, who will guide the districts in the program. “Together, we can create an ecosystem that nurtures students' academic journey, fosters a sense of belonging, and reinforces the importance of consistent attendance.”

The cohort will culminate in November 2024 with each district developing a blueprint and tailored action plan that is deeply informed by context and community.