One-Click Truancy Management in the EveryDay Platform

While most of us know that every absence, whether excused or unexcused, has an impact, the law still requires that districts remain in compliance with truancy laws. But the same restorative practices leveraged to address chronic absenteeism can also be applied to truancy compliance.  The EveryDay Platform includes a truancy management system that makes it easier for educators to remain compliant with their state’s truancy laws and ensure students and families aren’t unnecessarily escalated into the court system. Read on for the details on how this system will make your work easier and result in fewer students in court. 

Managing Truancy Compliance within the EveryDay Platform 

Districts and courts, more often than not, want to do everything they can to not push students into the court system. We’ve set up our truancy management to be low friction but not 100% automated, leaving room for last minute changes and connection. 

Instead of having to dig into data and track who is eligible for a truancy notification, the EveryDay Platform automatically surfaces these students for your review. What happens next can vary based on your team’s needs. 

If you know a student’s family needs a notification, EveryDay Labs can print and mail these on your behalf the same week that you sign off. If you hear back from a family or a meeting is scheduled shortly after approving the notice, you can remove them from the send. 

If you prefer to print and mail in-house, you can leverage a template of our evidence-based truancy notices. You can also send eligible families a truancy notification email directly through the EveryDay Platform. 

Getting the Full Student Picture 

We all know a student is more than just the sum of their unexcused absences. They could be experiencing numerous attendance barriers that the team may already be working on addressing. It’s easy to take a closer look at the student’s full details, viewing whether another team member has already made a phone call home or just had a meeting with the student’s family. Access to this information will help you decide whether to actually send the notice or hold off until truly necessary.  

Why Our Truancy Notifications are Essential

Just like our chronic absenteeism nudges, our truancy notifications have been rigorously tested and informed by behavioral science principles to promote positive behavior change. Instead of drowning families in legalese, our letters are written at a fifth grade reading level and re-center the family as key to their student’s success. Due to their clear and nonpunitive nature, a randomized controlled trial found them to be 40% more effective than standard truancy notices. 

In a 2023 survey of 130 families across the country, comparing truancy letters from California, EveryDay Labs, and another truancy solution provider, those who viewed the EveryDay Labs letter were less likely to feel embarrassed, overwhelmed, inadequate, disrespected, helpless, or ridiculed. They were more likely to feel thankful, valued, hopeful, and respected. 

We are proud to offer our partners the best possible way to not only manage their communications, but ensure what they are communicating is actually resonating and moving the needle. 

Curious about how EveryDay Labs can support your truancy efforts? Take a guided tour, or reach out to an attendance expert!