Pandemic-Related Absenteeism is Surging in Schools. How Parent Mentors Can Support Families.

A month into in-person learning and California schools are reporting big increases in chronic absenteeism. Even districts like Long Beach and Elk Grove (outside Sacramento), which have historically strong rates of attendance, are facing surging rates of absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more school days. 

While Long Beach Unified School District hasn’t compiled its chronic absenteeism data yet, administrators expect it to be high. Attendance rates have fallen to 91% , down from 96% almost two years ago. This means that roughly 4,000 fewer students are showing up to school every day. 

Why are Schools Facing High Absenteeism? 

Students in quarantine account for the bulk of student absenteeism. Others are missing school because of ongoing mental health or behavior challenges, some related to the pandemic. And others are afraid of contracting COVID-19. 

However, keeping kids in school is incredibly important. Before the pandemic, districts like Long Beach worked hard to promote regular attendance by giving out free bus passes, prizes, school supplies and mentoring services. But now, absenteeism rates are skyrocketing. 

With the amount of learning loss and anxiety students are facing, many families are looking for ways to bridge the gap between school and home. For some families, the answer is to work with a parent mentor or parent coach. 

What are the Dangers of Frequently Missed School? 

Chronic absenteeism has been a problem that some schools, high schools in particular, have faced over the years. However, it’s generally been in a small population of students. Due to the pandemic, more students are missing school because of testing, quarantine, contact tracing and more. 

The dangers associated with frequently missed school are: 

• Lower academic scores 

• Reduced emotional engagement 

• Higher likelihood of dropping out of school 

• Adverse health outcomes 

• Decreased funding for schools 

• Poverty in adulthood 

How Can a Parent Mentor Help Students Facing Chronic Absenteeism? 

Whether it’s a student who’s sent home to quarantine, a student struggling with mental health or a family that’s worried about COVID-19 exposure, a parent mentor can be an invaluable asset. 

Here are some of the ways parent mentoring services can help families: 

• Ease burden from parents who are working and dealing with their own challenges. 

• Get support for students who are having struggles with ADHD, depression, anxiety or other mental health disorders. 

• Maintain regular communication with the student’s school counselor or therapist.

• Hold students accountable for doing their school work at home. 

• Help parents teach their children the importance of good organizational and time management skills. 

• Strengthen the family unit from within so that everyone can better manage their roles. 

Where to Find Parent Mentoring Services 

Many parents are unaware that parent mentoring exists. But it does - and you can find it at Bridge The Gap.

Bridge The Gap provides parent mentoring services to parents and guardians. We work closely with the parents of minor children, as this is where healthy habits are established. Although we’ve provided these services for many years, there is an even greater need for them now. 

Chronic absenteeism is building on the host of challenges students are already facing, including learning loss, anxiety and depression due to isolation, grief and the pandemic. Missing school can make these hardships even more difficult. 

But we can’t expect parents to carry all of the burden. Many are working full-time and cannot be teachers as well. To support these families, parent coaching and mentoring services are available through Bridge The Gap. 

Contact Bridge The Gap for Parent Mentoring Services 

Bridge The Gap works with all types of families, and we are currently modifying our parent mentoring services to account for pandemic-related struggles. If your child has been out of school and is having emotional, academic or social difficulties as a result, we can help. You are not alone. 

Contact our team of mentors today to discuss your needs and we’ll determine the different ways we can support your family.