Education United Afterschool Program Successfully Combats Chronic Absenteeism
As chronic absenteeism rates remain stubbornly high across New York State, one
afterschool program is making significant strides in getting students back in the classroom. The Education United Afterschool Program, run by the United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP), has demonstrated remarkable success in improving attendance rates among participating students.
According to an independent evaluator who submitted the program’s 2023-24 Annual Evaluation Report, 92% of Education United students who were chronically absent in the previous year improved their attendance. This is particularly noteworthy given that the New York State Comptroller’s Office recently released a report that indicated that nearly one in three New York students were chronically absent in the 2022-2023 school year.
The Education United Program operates in high-need elementary schools in Ossining, Greenburgh, and Tarrytown. It serves a diverse student population, with the make up being 60% Hispanic and 20% Black.
The program takes a comprehensive approach to supporting students and families. The program provides academic enrichment, youth development activities, and family engagement resources. One of the key strategies employed by Education United is its diverse and engaging daily schedule. The program offers a healthy mix of fitness, academic, and enrichment activities, providing students with experiences they might not otherwise have access to, such as drumming, ballet, or robot building. This variety not only encourages students to attend but also motivates them to stay longer at the program.
“My son loves going to the afterschool program so much that he asked me to pick him up later. He likes being able to see his friends and have fun,” shares Miriam, a mother whose son attends the program at Brookside Elementary.
The impact of the Education United Program extends beyond just improving attendance. Key findings from the report include:
– 71% of students who needed to improve their classroom engagement did so over the course of the 2023-24 school year.
– 84% of parents surveyed thought their child was more likely to attend school to be able to go to the Education United Program.
– Nearly three-quarters of responding parents reported that their children were better able to complete homework and had greater self-confidence because of attending the program.
The program’s success last academic year was further bolstered by partnerships with local organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle, YMCA Tarrytown, Westchester Ballet Company, Gibbons Family Fitness, and Kool Nerd. These collaborations enhanced the range of activities offered and contributed to the program’s appeal.
The Education United Program is made possible through three primary funding sources: the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, the New York State Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports, and the Westchester County Invest in Kids initiative. These grants enable Education United to offer its services free of charge, making it accessible to all families in the community.
Education United’s approach aligns with recommendations from education experts for addressing chronic absenteeism. The program emphasizes family engagement, provides essential goods and services to families in need, and offers a mix of academic support and enrichment activities that motivate students to attend school regularly.
“Our program demonstrates that with the right supports in place, we can make significant progress in getting students back to school and engaged in learning,” said Faith Ann Butcher, Chief Impact Officer at UWWP. “The key is taking a holistic approach that addresses the diverse needs of students and families.”
As schools across New York continue to grapple with high rates of chronic absenteeism, the Education United Program offers a promising model for intervention. By combining targeted academic support with family engagement, essential services, and engaging activities, the program is helping to ensure that more students are present and ready to learn every day.
