October 2026
AERA and The 74 will co-host a free public webinar, “The Attendance Crisis Isn’t Over: What’s Driving It—and What Works,” on Wednesday, November 18, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET. The event will bring together leading researchers and experts to examine why chronic absenteeism remains a persistent challenge for schools and what research suggests can be done to address it.
Chronic absenteeism has emerged as one of the most significant challenges facing schools in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will explore the factors contributing to continued high rates of student absences, evidence-based interventions, and promising approaches being implemented by states and school districts. Panelists will also discuss the roles of families, community organizations, and public agencies in improving attendance, as well as how more timely data can inform effective responses.
The discussion will feature Robert Balfanz, distinguished professor at Johns Hopkins University and director of the Everyone Graduates Center; Hedy Chang, founder and CEO of Attendance Works; and Sarah Winchell Lenhoff, professor of educational leadership and policy studies at Wayne State University and director of the Detroit Partnership for Education Equity & Research.
Kevin Mahnken, education reporter at The 74, will moderate the discussion. AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous and The 74 Editor in Chief Nicole Ridgway will offer welcoming remarks.
The webinar builds on a March 2026 event co-hosted by AERA and The 74 that examined the promise and risks of artificial intelligence in student assessment. That discussion drew 1,700 attendees from more than 72 countries, reflecting broad interest in research-informed conversations on pressing education issues.
“Increasing public engagement with education research is a major priority for AERA,” said Chavous. “Partnerships like this one with The 74 create opportunities for researchers, educators, policymakers, and the public to engage with evidence on some of the most pressing issues facing education today.”
The November 18 webinar is free and open to the public and will include a moderated question-and-answer session. ASL interpretation and captioning will be provided.
Register for the November 18 webinar.