Addressing School Attendance Through Evidence-Based Interventions: Catholic Schools' Opportunity

As Catholic educators, we understand that regular school attendance is foundational to student success. With the recent release of the Australian Education Research Organisation's (AERO) comprehensive report on "Interventions to promote school attendance and address student absence," we have a valuable opportunity to integrate evidence-based approaches within our Catholic school communities.

Understanding the Multi-Tiered Approach

The AERO report presents interventions through a three-tiered framework:

1. Tier 1: Universal Interventions - Approaches implemented with all students to promote attendance and prevent absence

2. Tier 2: Targeted Interventions - Programs for students at risk of attendance problems or showing emerging patterns of absence

3. Tier 3: Intensive Interventions - Specialized supports for students with persistent, severe attendance challenges

This structured approach aligns beautifully with Catholic education's commitment to supporting the whole child and ensuring no student is left behind.

Promising Interventions for Catholic Schools

Several evidence-based interventions identified in the report show particular promise for Catholic school settings:

School-Based Mentoring Programs

Mentoring relationships, particularly the "Check & Connect" model, have demonstrated strong positive impacts on attendance. This aligns perfectly with our Catholic values of accompaniment and personal relationship-building. These programs involve regular check-ins with students, monitoring progress, and engaging families in partnerships focused on student success.

Parent and Family Engagement

The research confirms what Catholic schools have long known: family engagement is critical for student attendance. Simple interventions like personalized communications to parents about attendance patterns have shown significant results. Catholic schools are well-positioned to enhance these approaches through our existing strong family partnerships.

Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Schools implementing PBIS frameworks with high fidelity have seen improvements in attendance. This whole-school approach to creating a positive school climate resonates with our Catholic ethos of cultivating supportive, values-based communities.

Transition Programs

The report highlights the effectiveness of programs supporting transitions between primary and secondary school. Given the Catholic education system's unique capacity to create continuity across educational stages, we have an exceptional opportunity to strengthen these important transition points.

Social Justice Lens: Supporting Vulnerable Students

The AERO report specifically addresses interventions for equity groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. As Catholic educators committed to preferential option for the marginalized, this research offers valuable guidance.

The report emphasizes that initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are most effective when designed with community input and leadership. This aligns with our commitment to walking alongside First Nations peoples and supporting their self-determination.

Building Early Education Fund: A Timely Opportunity

This research comes at a perfect moment as the Australian Government launches its $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, aimed at constructing and expanding early childhood education centers in areas of need, including regional and remote communities.

For Catholic education providers, this represents both an opportunity and responsibility to:

1. Expand existing services in Catholic schools and parishes

2. Establish new centers in underserved communities

3. Partner with government to ensure new centers reflect Catholic values

The AERO report provides evidence that could inform these initiatives, particularly around creating smooth transitions from early childhood to school settings.

View the full report here.