- The Dunkirk school district in Chautauqua County, New York, is utilizing an artificial intelligence program called Edia to improve communication with parents and reduce chronic absenteeism among students, with hundreds of parents already using the system to report their children’s absences or schedule appointments.
- According to Superintendent Brian Swatland, the district had a chronic absenteeism rate of 38% last year. Still, since implementing the Edia program, the rate has decreased to 22%, bringing it closer to the goal of below 20% in the first year, and this reduction in absenteeism is expected to lead to increased student achievement.
- The Edia program allows parents to communicate in real-time with the school attendance robot, making it easier for them to report their children’s absences or schedule appointments. Parent Brittany Cerrie-Allen finds the system to be convenient and helpful, stating that it helps both parents and the school stay in touch and ensures that parents are held accountable for their children’s attendance.
- The program also tracks absences, summarizes trends, and offers interventions to get students back in school, with a 40-50% response rate from families using the system, indicating a significant improvement in communication between the school and the community, and Superintendent Swatland believes that this partnership is crucial for the district’s success.
- Superintendent Swatland recommends that other districts consider implementing similar technology to reduce chronic absenteeism and improve student achievement, while parent Brittany Cerrie-Allen encourages parents to embrace the system, as it promotes a sense of responsibility and cooperation between parents and the school, and helps to ensure that students receive the education they need to succeed.
