Growing together through school: a guide to system savvy school engagement

Abstract

This Final Project addresses the need to improve the effectiveness of absenteeism and school refusal interventions with a presentation and model handbook for parents and professionals that outlines a structured pathway to school success and graduation. Given the nature of evidence drawn from an empirically sound literature review from the research in this area drawn from multiple sources such as statistics Canada and UNICEF Canada, an early and sustained intervention is appropriate in order to support caregivers and pupils to be successful. Therefore, this model and presentation’s primary target is kindergarten parents and students, mental health professionals, and educators. The model includes a guide for navigating the school system for K-12 students showing school refusal signs, including a school refusal assessment scale (SRAS-R), as well as supports for caregiver’s wellness and school system confidence. The literature review supports the intervention model, presentations, and roles for preventing and interrupting attendance challenges.