A thought on attendance and student connection

Published 3 months ago • 2 min read

July 14, 2026

Hi Reader

I’d like to share something with you through the BE Podcast Network that’s been coming up often in my conversations with school and district leaders.

One question keeps circling back. How can schools reduce chronic absenteeism in a way that helps students feel connected, supported, and eager to come to school?

I’ve been paying close attention to the work Playworks is doing in this area, especially as more schools look for practical ways to improve attendance. Their approach focuses on something simple but often overlooked: how students experience the school day.

In a recent UC Berkeley study of Title I schools, Playworks programming was associated with significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates compared to similar schools without it.

If this is something your team is working on, you can take a closer look here:

Book a Call

In schools with Playworks programming, schools experience:

Lower chronic absenteeism rates compared to similar schools
Stronger relationships between students and adults
Fewer behavior issues during and after recess
Smoother transitions back to learning, reclaiming instructional time

I saw these outcomes firsthand in my Title I school. My hope in sharing this is that it gives you a clearer sense of what is possible when schools focus on how students experience their day.

Because when students feel they belong, school becomes a place they want to be.

Best,
Jethro

Jethro Jones

Founder, BE Podcast Network

Education and leadership nerd, and founder of Transformative Principal. You might know me from my latest books, How to be a Transformative Principal and SchoolX, and the longest running ed leadership podcast, Transformative Principal.

PO Box 30161, Spokane, WA 99223
Unsubscribe · Preferences

What’s the best swag at ISTE?

July 14, 2026 Hey there, Greetings from the buzzing, high-energy floor of ISTE 2026 in Orlando! The air is electric, the ideas are flowing, and the BE Podcast Network is right in the heart of it all, capturing the magic as it happens. We've been LIVE on the ground all week, diving into deep conversations with some of the most innovative minds in education. From the cutting edge of AI to the future of leadership, we're bringing the best of ISTE straight to your ears. You can catch up on all...

14 days ago • 3 min read

Weekly BPN Newsletter Update

July 14, 2026 It's almost here, ISTE is happening next week. My next email will be an update from ISTE. Already, I have a bunch of podcast recordings scheduled. You know how before a trip, you are just excited, anxious, and trying really hard to cram everything in before you leave? That's where I'm at right now. It is fun, stressful, and weird, but totally worth it. Three updates today, see below. The hardest part of school leadership is that you do it alone. Every principal knows the...

20 days ago • 3 min read

ISTE Orlando Visit

July 14, 2026 Hi Reader With ISTE 2026 just around the corner, the BE Podcast Network is gearing up for a massive week of conversations in Orlando from June 28 to July 1. We'll be recording live on the ground, diving deep into the things that matter right now: the cutting edge of AI, leadership insights from Transformative Principal, and navigating digital safety with Cybertraps. If you’re going to be in Orlando and want to jump behind the mic for a quick podcast episode, I’d love to have...