Schools often measure success through attendance records—who showed up and who didn’t. But does sitting in a classroom necessarily mean learning is happening? The difference between being present and being engaged is critical, yet it’s a gap that often gets overlooked.
Why Attendance ≠ Engagement
Compliance vs. curiosity: A student may be physically present but mentally absent, ticking the box without absorbing knowledge.
Barriers to engagement: Stress, hunger, or mental health struggles can block focus even when attendance is perfect.
Engagement is relational: Students respond when they feel valued, respected, and see relevance in what they’re learning.
The Policy Problem
Schools can mandate attendance, but they can’t mandate genuine participation. Punitive responses to absenteeism (like truancy laws or grade penalties) may improve numbers on paper but do little to foster authentic learning.
Towards Engagement-Centered Metrics
What if we measured:
Student participation in discussions or projects.
Self-reported sense of belonging and interest.
Evidence of applied skills, not just seat time.
Questions for Discussion
How can schools shift from attendance-based accountability to engagement-based success?
What practices or environments have you seen spark true engagement?
Could overemphasis on attendance actually harm long-term learning outcomes?
Attendance vs. Engagement
Beyond the Checkmark
Schools often measure success through attendance records—who showed up and who didn’t. But does sitting in a classroom necessarily mean learning is happening? The difference between being present and being engaged is critical, yet it’s a gap that often gets overlooked.
Why Attendance ≠ Engagement
The Policy Problem
Schools can mandate attendance, but they can’t mandate genuine participation. Punitive responses to absenteeism (like truancy laws or grade penalties) may improve numbers on paper but do little to foster authentic learning.
Towards Engagement-Centered Metrics
What if we measured:
Questions for Discussion