A recent study led by the University of Leeds highlights a significant correlation between early childhood preparedness and school absenteeism. The research, conducted by the School of Psychology and the Born in Bradford Centre for Applied Education Research, revealed that children who are not deemed “school ready” are more than twice as likely to become consistently absent from school.
KEY FINDINGS
School Readiness and Absenteeism: The study found that 67% of students who missed school frequently, with attendance below 90%, were considered "not school ready" when they started. In contrast, only 37% of children who did not regularly miss school were deemed “not school ready.”
Implications of Absenteeism: Lead author Dr. Megan Wood stated, “School is where children develop and flourish, academically, emotionally, socially, and physically.” Naturally, she expressed concern over an emerging “school absence epidemic,” which has worsened since the pandemic.
Current Absenteeism Rates: In the UK, data from the 2022/23 autumn term shows nearly a quarter of all pupils missed at least 39 half-day sessions, a worrying statistic for both educators and policymakers.
FACTORS INFLUENCING ABSENTEEISM
Parental Engagement: The study suggests that higher parental engagement plays a significant role in preparing children for school and maintaining their enthusiasm for learning. Engaged parents often continue to support their children throughout their school journey, often helping with homework and ensuring readiness for school.
Underlying Needs: Lack of school readiness may indicate underlying issues such as neurodivergence or unmet mental health needs, making school challenging for some children.
MAIN SOCIOECONOMIC FACTOR
Socioeconomic Status: Being eligible for free school meals, which indicates a lower socioeconomic status, was also identified as a major risk factor for frequent school absences.
FUTURE RESEARCH AND INVERVENTIONS
The researchers stress the need for early intervention to identify and support at-risk children before they start skipping school. They aim to study which early interventions and support methods work best to prevent persistent absenteeism in future research.
Picture: Preschoolers at work in a classroom (Designer)
