Strategies to Reduce Student Absenteeism in Private High Schools
Degree Date
6-18-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Dr. Ric Dressen
Abstract
According to recent research, chronic absenteeism is prevalent within schools and has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. School administrators for both public and private schools need to address student absenteeism within their schools to help reduce the number of students who are missing school. This qualitative study gained insights from seven practicing private school administrators to help reduce student absenteeism and to enhance students’ learning success through improved student attendance. Online semi-structured interviews took place with these private school administrators within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Three themes were highlighted in this study. The first theme identified mental health, illness, and classroom environment as factors leading to chronic absenteeism. The second theme recognized contacting parents, regular meetings, and a tiered system as supports for addressing chronic absenteeism. The third theme acknowledged personal communication and a collaborative approach as strategies to help reduce absenteeism. The recommendations are that private high schools need to have personal communications, have regular support meetings, and have a tiered level approach to communications. School administrators need to call home to parents about absences to understand the nature of the absence and how absences can affect student success. Regular meetings by school personnel need to be frequent, using data to address the cause of the absence, and then come up with a plan to address student absenteeism. Schools need to have protocols to address student absenteeism as absences accumulate over time to help reduce student absenteeism within their school. Additionally, future research should include expanding grade levels and sample sizes.