ERIC Number: ED615917
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Dec
Pages: 105
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
How to Text Message Parents to Reduce Chronic Absence Using an Evidence-Based Approach. Toolkit. NCEE 2022-001
Kurki, Anja; Heppen, Jessica B.; Brown, Seth
National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance
This toolkit is for school districts that are considering using text messaging to improve attendance. Text messaging can reach large numbers of parents with minimal cost. This toolkit is intended to enable district leaders and staff to: (1) Consider goals and priorities for using text messaging to communicate with parents about student absences; (2) Understand the attendance data collection procedures and information technology (IT) infrastructure needed to implement a texting strategy; (3) Consider whether the text messaging strategies used in the Parent Messaging Study are feasible to adopt and implement; and (4) Set up a text messaging system using the district's student information system and (if appropriate) a short messaging service (SMS) vendor. The Background section of this toolkit provides an overview of chronic absence in elementary schools and describes the texting strategy that was found in the Parent Messaging Study to reduce chronic absence rates. Part I is for "district leadership and the team in charge of planning for student attendance text messaging." This section will help district staff assess their needs, examine capabilities, and plan to implement the messaging strategy. Part II is geared specifically to "district staff working with the student information system and district IT." It describes key actions to set up and monitor a text messaging system and provides information about security and privacy considerations. Part III is a set of tools and resources to support the district's work on both Parts I and II. The Example Attendance Text Messaging Blueprint is the same blueprint that was used in the Parent Messaging Study. The other tools were developed specifically for this guide.
Descriptors: Handheld Devices, Telecommunications, Written Language, Computer Mediated Communication, Attendance, Parent Participation, Evidence Based Practice, Program Effectiveness, Parent School Relationship, Communication Strategies, School Districts, Information Technology, Professional Personnel, Program Implementation
National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. Available from: ED Pubs. P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Tel: 877-433-7827; Web site: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) (ED/IES); American Institutes for Research (AIR)
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: EDIES16C0017
IES Publication: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/2022001/index.asp
Author Affiliations: N/A