Bold statement: Chronic absenteeism isn’t just a school problem—it’s a community challenge that schools are fighting with hands-on persistence. And here’s the twist many people overlook: direct, in-person outreach can rekindle a student’s connection to education. This article revisits how Union Public Schools are tackling rising absences by meeting students where they are, even if that means knocking on doors.
Rising Absences and the Goal
Roughly since the pandemic, Oklahoma has seen more students missing school, with districts labeling anyone missing 10 or more days as chronically absent. The statewide rate has hovered around 20%. Union Public Schools, however, has seen that rate climb higher year after year. Last year, more than a quarter of Union students were chronically absent, about seven percentage points above the state average. The district’s overarching aim is ambitious: reach a 100% graduation rate, turning around not just attendance numbers but student futures.
A People-First Strategy: Focused on Engagement
At Union High School, Rebekah Boyer — the High School Assistant Principal for Student Engagement — leads a people-centered approach to reconnect students with school. Her message is clear: the path back to graduation begins with creating clear opportunities and pathways for each student.
“My goal is primarily to create a pathway for these students,” Boyer explains. “It’s problematic. I think last year, the district as a whole faced a 25 to 30% chronic absenteeism rate. That edges up as you get into secondary school.”
Door-to-Door Outreach
A key component of Boyer’s work involves going out into the community. With her secretary/translator Norma Estrada, she visits homes to check on students who have stopped attending classes. The idea is simple: when students miss class or become credit-deficient, the most effective fix is often to find them and start a conversation.
During one patrol, a father who hadn’t realized his daughter was skipping school answered the door after a call from the team. The father’s surprise underscores a common theme Boyer notes: many families aren’t fully aware of attendance issues until someone from the district reaches out. Following the visit, the student began re-engaging with school the next day.
In another stop, a sophomore expressed feeling overwhelmed by the size of the school and its demands. The team discussed alternatives and continued follow-up, with the ultimate aim of earning the student’s diploma, whether within Union or through another institution if needed.
A third home visit yielded no immediate contact, but Boyer remains convinced that door-by-door outreach has value. She acknowledges that home visits won’t solve systemic absenteeism on their own, yet they offer a meaningful way to recapture students and better understand the obstacles they face.
Beyond Door Knocks: Complementary Strategies
Door visits are one piece of a broader plan to improve attendance. For the 2024-2025 school year, Union Public Schools launched a campaign using hallway posters that highlight humorous yet pointed “lame excuses” for missing class—like “Taylor dropped a new album” or “Celebrating my cat’s birthday”—to emphasize the importance of showing up. The district also conducted surveys to listen to students directly and uncover root causes.
What the data revealed helps explain why students miss school: after not feeling well, common factors include a lack of interest in the class, life pressures outside school, insufficient sleep, and responsibilities such as jobs. Oswaldo Lopez Badilla, a student who had been balancing work and school, described the emotional weight of that pressure and credits the district’s outreach with lifting some of the burden.
Real-Life Outcomes
Oswaldo, who was close to graduation but stopped due to work commitments, ultimately earned his diploma with a tailored plan and district support. He describes the experience as a significant personal and family milestone, marked by sleepless nights, perseverance, and focus on a defined goal.
The Bigger Picture
Union leaders acknowledge that progress toward a 100% graduation rate will take time, but they emphasize that building connections and bridges between students and the school system is essential groundwork for large-scale change. Each successful outreach, conversation, and return to class is a step toward recapturing a student’s educational journey.
Survey Highlights (in brief)
- The district’s survey sought input from teachers, parents, and students to understand attendance barriers.
- Key issues cited include lack of class engagement, external life pressures, insufficient rest, and competing responsibilities like jobs.
- The district plans to continue refining its approach based on feedback and outcomes.
Source: OSDE
Tess Maune, a longtime News On 6 journalist from El Reno, reports on Educate Oklahoma, detailing Union Public Schools’ efforts to curb chronic absenteeism through direct outreach and supportive pathways. The overarching question remains: will hands-on outreach sustainably shift attendance patterns and keep more students on track to graduate?
