Cited by 19Youth Substance Use and School AttendanceParental Involvement in EducationEducation Pedagogy and Practices

Embracing change: from recalibration to radical overhaul for the field of school attendance

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Heyne, David, Gentle-Genitty, Carolyn, Melvin, Glenn A., Keppens, Gil, O’Toole, Catriona, McKay-Brown, Lisa·2024·Frontiers in Education

Abstract

In a world characterized by dynamic demographic shifts, rapid technological transformations, and evolving pedagogical practices, the need for reimagining school attendance and a relationship with education has become paramount. This Research Topic, boldly titled “The Unlearning of School Attendance: Ideas for Change,” compels us to challenge conventional thinking and working in this domain. The collection of 12 articles offers compelling opportunities for change, ranging from subtle recalibrations to radical overhauls, depending on the extent to which our current ideas and methods have grown outdated. This opening article serves as a thematic guide, curating the diverse prospects for transformation found within the collection. Four themes encourage us to reconceptualize school attendance and a relationship with education, while another four themes inspire new ways of working in this realm. Furthermore, we explore the pivotal role of the International Network for School Attendance (INSA) in facilitating change, as it strives to foster relationships with education, forge alliances among interested parties, and promote interdisciplinary research. As you engage with this article and the other 12 contributions in this collection, we invite you to reflect on your current ideas and methods, embracing the call for transformative change with compassion and a strong sense of purpose. Together, we can shape a future where school attendance and engagement with learning thrive in harmony with our evolving world.

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  • These legal measures were not questioned for their effectiveness in addressing root causes of SAPs.

    “they were not questioned for their effectiveness in addressing root causes of SAPs (Heyne et al., 2024).”

    From Their voices matter: student and professional perspectives on overcoming school attendance problems in the context of social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties (2025) · cites this paper as Heyne et al., 2024

    Section 2.8 contrasts positive interventions with punitive interventions, and section 2.4.1 discusses underlying influences on attendance problems. Neither says that legal measures went unquestioned for their effectiveness in addressing root causes. Searches for legal measures, sanctions, and effectiveness found no passage establishing that historical claim. (LLM, conf=0.72)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Heyne, D., Gentle-Genitty, C., Melvin, G. A., Keppens, G., O’Toole, C., & McKay-Brown, L.
Affiliations
  • Deakin University (AU)
  • Indiana University Bloomington (US)
  • Tilburg University (NL)
  • National University of Ireland, Maynooth (IE)
Corresponding author
Heyne, David
Venue
Frontiers in Education
Published
2024-01-08
Volume
8
ISSN
2504-284X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4390666491
Cited by
19
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 4
FWCI
24.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Education (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research portal (Tilburg University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Digital Commons @ Butler University (Butler University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
  • Social Sciences › Education › Parental Involvement in Education
  • Social Sciences › Education › Education Pedagogy and Practices
Keywords
school attendance, student engagement, interdisciplinary research, educational change

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