Director of Data and Research, Presented September 8, 2017, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Every Day Matters: Building School-Based Plans to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism Conference Getting Into It Deborah Good Director of Data and Research, Mission: Graduate

Team Activities Process Mapping Data Review Factor Analysis

Step Into Your Students’ Shoes “We spend a lot time designing the bridge, but not enough time thinking about the people who are crossing it.” – Dr. Prabhjot Singh Director of Systems Design at the Earth Institute

Process Mapping What Is a Process? A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end or outcome.

Process Mapping What Is a Process? What Is a Process Map? A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end or outcome. What Is a Process Map? A process map is a visual tool that illustrates the flow of actions from start to finish.

Process Mapping

Process Mapping Macro to Micro Example: Getting to work on time

Process Mapping TEAM TIME (10 mins) Your Assignment Map the process of a student getting to school. Tips Identify where the process starts and stops. Brainstorm the steps of the process. Write each step of your process on post-it notes. Determine the order. Map what actually happens, not what SHOULD happen. Back at school: Consider creating a process map for how your school responds when a student is absent.

Data: Hammer or Flashlight? . . . . Moving beyond accountability opens the door to a vast array of opportunities to use data as a flashlight, shining a light on what is working and fueling continuous improvement.” “Too often in education data is seen as a hammer—a tool of accountability to ensure that targets are being met. . . . - DATA QUALITY CAMPAIGN

Ask WHO is chronically absent? Data Review Why does an attendance team use data? Ask WHO is chronically absent?

Ask WHO is chronically absent? Data Review Why does an attendance team use data? Ask WHO is chronically absent?

Ask WHO is chronically absent? Ask WHY are they chronically absent? Data Review Why does an attendance team use data? Ask WHO is chronically absent? Ask WHY are they chronically absent? Student Survey

Ask WHO is chronically absent? Ask WHY are they chronically absent? Data Review Why does an attendance team use data? Ask WHO is chronically absent? Ask WHY are they chronically absent? Ask WHAT are we doing about it? Ask IS IT WORKING?

Data Review TEAM TIME (10 mins) Your Assignment Discuss the data you have and complete the Data Review section of your Attendance Success Plan.* * If you do not have data with you today, we will provide you with fake data. Tips Ask each other: What is interesting? What surprises you? As you discuss each data point, begin to form hypotheses about why different student groups have higher absenteeism. Do you have concerns about the accuracy of the data? What steps might you take to improve data accuracy? Identify what more you need to know. Back at school: Undertake additional data collection or analysis to answer your questions.

Factor Analysis What Is Factor Analysis? A.K.A. root cause analysis A process for identifying possible causes of an outcome. Avoid band-aid fixes Methods: 5 Whys Pareto Charts Fishbone diagrams Tally sheets

At each step . . . . . . Identify what could go wrong.

Reduced Chronic Absenteeism Factor Analysis Key Driver Diagram Supportive factors Peer-to-peer support Sports and extra-curricular activities Culturally relevant curriculum Safe schools Outcomes: Improved reading skills Improved reliability Improved graduation rates Reduced Chronic Absenteeism Barriers Lack of transportation options Parents working evening and night shifts Health and mental health (trauma) Transitions between elem, middle, and high

Factor Analysis TEAM TIME (10 mins) Your Assignment In the Root Cause/Factor Analysis section of your Attendance Success Plan, start to list the barriers and supportive factors that affect attendance rates at your school. Tips Look at your process map. At each step, ask: “What could/does go wrong? What can/does prevent absences?” Look at your data review. What is your best guess as to why some students are missing too much school while others are succeeding? Think about your own experiences and your conversations with students and families. What barriers do they face? What do they find helpful? Back at school: Among all factors you identified, work as a team to select those that are most important and within your circle of influence.