Chronic Absenteeism and Daily Routines That Influence Attendance

Presented by Daniel Merin, Education Administrator, The School District of Philadelphia (PA); Shelli Deaguero, Principal, Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy (CO); and Elizabeth Cushing, CEO, Playworks

Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.

Chronic absenteeism remains one of the most pressing challenges facing schools today. While attendance data matters, improving attendance requires more than tracking metrics. It requires examining the daily experience students have inside the school day.

In this edLeader Panel, leaders from school and district contexts discuss how adult consistency, shared routines, and operational decisions influence student experience and attendance. The conversation will focus on what leaders can change within existing systems to create stronger conditions for belonging.

The panelists will share lessons learned from aligning staff practices, addressing friction points in transitions and shared spaces, and making attendance strategies visible to boards and communities. Attendees will leave with practical insight into strengthening schoolwide systems that support improved attendance outcomes.

This edLeader Panel will be of interest to elementary through middle school district and school leaders.

Dan Merin’s work with the School District of Philadelphia focuses on supporting school leaders and district administrators with implementation of evidence-based school climate initiatives. These initiatives have equity at their core. This responsibility provides administrative support to teams of coaches in Climate & Culture, PBIS, Restorative Practices, and Social-Emotional Learning vis-à-vis facilitating evidence-based programming in alignment with Pennsylvania Department of Education School Plans and the School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Goals and Guardrails. Support extends to a regional cohort of schools, working with principals, staff, and students to create a supportive learning environment that promotes academic and behavioral growth and achievement and problem-focused coping strategies. Dan helps identify areas of need, monitor and analyze data trends, assess skill gaps, develop plans for interventions, conduct and assess trainings, and promote linkages to community resources in order to help schools develop, improve, and strengthen their supports that promote safe, positive, and equitable school environments.

This year marks Shelli Deaguero’s 21st year in education, all proudly served in Aurora Public Schools. Her leadership is grounded by a deep commitment to cultivating a thriving learning community where teaching and learning flourish, students are equipped to meet and exceed their academic goals, and educators grow as leaders within their classrooms and beyond. Shelli believes all students deserve to be seen, heard, and valued, with their identities affirmed and celebrated. She is passionate about creating environments where students experience joy, curiosity, an