by Shylo Garrett, 5th Grade Educator, Cassia County School District, Idaho
As I approach my 10th year of teaching, one issue that continues to stand out is chronic student absenteeism. There are always those students who miss a lot of school for a variety of reasons. Common causes include chronic illness, parental permissiveness, and extended holiday travel. These absences create a delicate and sometimes frustrating situation for teachers. The students get behind, and it is up to the teacher to find the balance of moving the class along and catching the absent student up.
Creating a Classroom Students Want to Attend
Creating a classroom environment where students genuinely want to be is essential. One of the most effective ways to foster this is by building strong, positive relationships with them.
The best way for a teacher to get a student to want to be in class is to connect with them and build a relationship. Over the years in my classroom, I have worked diligently on making sure the students know I care about them. They know I am in their corner, there to help them and support them. If a student has a bond with their teacher then they will want to be at school. This helps with those students who just want to skip and their parents allow them to do so. Not only does this get the students in the classroom, it increases engagement and growth.
Shylo Garrett
5th Grade Educator, Cassia County School District, IdahoSupporting Students with Chronic Illness and Travel
Not all absences are avoidable. Some students sincerely want to be in class but face challenges due to chronic illness or extended travel. In these cases, while relationships alone may not solve the issue, they can provide essential insight into how best to support the student.
Digital platforms like Google Classroom or Canvas are invaluable tools in these situations. They allow students to access lessons and materials remotely, helping them stay connected to the classroom even when they can’t be physically present.
Equally important is building a relationship with the student’s parents or guardians. Working as a team, teachers and families can develop customized plans to support continued learning. This might involve after-school video chats for instruction, regular email check-ins, work pickups from the school, or even occasional home visits when appropriate.
Extended travel—whether for vacations or emergencies—can also lead to significant absences. Depending on the duration, strategies may vary. For short trips, sending review work may be enough. For longer absences, more consistent communication through video sessions, phone calls, and email can make a meaningful difference.
The Key to Success: Relationships and Communication
Ultimately, relationships and open communication are key to managing absences effectively. Teachers need support systems in place so they don’t feel overwhelmed trying to move the class forward while simultaneously helping individual students catch up.
When educators, families, and students work together, it not only improves academic outcomes—it also helps foster a school environment where students are excited to show up and teachers feel empowered to do their best work.