Interventions to Promote School Attendance and Address Student Absence. Rapid Literature Review

Abstract

In 2023, the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) investigated student attendance in Australian schools at the request of Education Ministers. Two literature reviews were commissioned as part of this project. This rapid literature review is the result of a systematic review of 332 peer-reviewed journal articles that describe studies exploring approaches, programs and interventions to support school attendance and address student absence. The interventions are presented in 3 tiers, in line with the multi-tiered system of supports framework: (1) Tier 1 interventions include those that can be applied universally to all students within a system or sector; (2) Tier 2 interventions are directed at selected students or schools who are deemed to be at-risk of developing attendance problems; and (3) Tier 3 interventions offer intensive support for students with persistent attendance problems.