Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the rate of chronically absent students – defined as missing just under a month of classes – has doubled to 26 percent on a national scale, reaching crisis levels and threatening the educational foundations of our country’s youth. It is estimated that chronic absenteeism is responsible up to 27 percent of the overall decline in math test scores and a shocking 45% drop in the decline in reading scores between 2019 and 2022.
To combat this problem, the company Edia recently unveiled an AI-powered platform for school districts across America. Within minutes of an absence, Edia initiates personalized AI-powered conversations with families in over 100 languages, enabling school districts to identify and address the root causes of chronic absenteeism.
“Today, nearly three-quarters of absences are unexplained, meaning no one called ahead and districts don’t know where these children are,” said Joe Philleo, CEO of Edia . “With so many students missing from school, staff do not have the ability to reach every family and understand what is happening to their child. »
“Every situation is different,” continues Philleo. “When staff don’t know why students are missing school, they can’t address the root cause. One student might miss school because they don’t have reliable transportation, and another student might skip math and English in the morning and just study computers and welding at the end of the year. the day because he finds these lessons more interesting.
By leveraging AI, Edia enables schools to identify and resolve the root causes of chronic absenteeism. Its system ensures that no absence goes unnoticed, helping to restore accountability, rebuild connections between schools and families, and resolve the underlying challenges that keep students out of class.
The main features of the Edia AI platform include:
- Conversations with the AI a few minutes after your absence: Personalized SMS conversations in over 100 languages sent to parents within minutes of an absence, reducing unexplained absences by up to 80%.
- Analysis to understand why students miss classes: Text messages, calls and notes are consolidated into a single profile to identify why students are missing school and allow teams to take appropriate action.
- Workflows specifically designed for MTSS interventions: Ability to initiate, monitor and coordinate personalized intervention plans for at-risk students.
Edia’s new solution is currently in use in K-12 school districts across the country, including Raton Public Schools, Farmington City Schools and Hobbs City Schools.
“Chronic absenteeism is a significant problem in education and Raton Public Schools, which can have serious consequences for student achievement and long-term success,” Raton Public Schools Superintendent Kristie Medina . “This refers to students who miss a significant number of school days, generally defined as 10% or more of the school year, for any reason, excused or unexcused. The challenge of chronic absenteeism lies in its widespread impact, affecting not only individual students but the entire school community. Our district is committed to combating chronic absenteeism because it is essential to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive both in school and in life.
Medina continued, “I’m really excited that Raton Public Schools is implementing Edia’s AI attendance solution! Integrating AI into attendance tracking and improvement will be a game-changer, especially when it comes to combating chronic absenteeism. By leveraging AI, the district can gain deeper insights into attendance patterns, identify at-risk students earlier, and tailor interventions more effectively.
