Problem: Chronic absenteeism is endemic in Head Start. 36% of Chicago Head Start children miss more than 10% of school days a month of preschool per year.

Intervention:

18-weeks of behaviorally-informed text messages to parents (reminders, feedback, loss aversion and planning prompts)

Implementation at 9 Head Start preschools with 780 families.

Results:

Behavioral intervention reduced chronic absenteeism in preschool by 20%.

Modestly reduced overall absenteeism

For more information please see links below:

Show Up 2 Grow Up Overview

APPAM Presentation