Is Your Daughter Refusing School? Meeting The Needs For Effective School Refusal Interventions

A recent article by The Atlantic recently discussed the long-term consequences on youth from missing school and potential school refusal interventions. As a teenager, going to school almost 10 months out of the year can seem overbearing, even at times exhausting. Some adolescents love school, and are eager to go every day and work extremely hard to succeed in their classes. Then there are some kids—the precocious teen who’s too cool for school—who still earns high marks despite skipping class constantly.

Unfortunately, the second form of student has become more of a pop-culture standard for most youth. An idealized version of an effortless youth for whom success comes easy.

The Lack of School Attendance

According to recent studies, six million children are chronically absent, half of whom are enrolled at just four percent of the nation’s school districts. Missing just two days a month of school has been found to expose youth to multiple forms of academic setbacks, including lower reading and math scores to higher risks of dropping out. This is why school refusal interventions are so essential in scenarios where kids don’t want to go to school.

A new analysis of federal data shows that nearly nine in 10 school districts report chronically absent students. The report defines chronic absenteeism as missing at least 15 school days each year, which is roughly 10 percent of the academic calendar.

Long-term Issues & Need for School Refusal Interventions

Beyond the issues absences have on academics, they can also play a significant role in youth not adopting the behaviors and social norms that employers, colleges and law enforcement may expect. Camille Farrington, an education scholar at the University of Chicago who studies the ways students’ emotions and mindsets influence learning stated:

“Poor attendance itself can cause problems with healthy development because of the disruption it causes to academic achievement (and learning) and to social connections with peers and adults at school.”

Researchers believe that negative school environments may be playing a large role in the ability to create school refusal interventions. Creating an environment where students feel accepted, safe and welcomed is an important part of ensure attendance. Some school refusal interventions that parents can attempt include speaking with a school counselor, encouraging youth to be active in extracurricular activities, and regularly communicating to youth about their school experiences.

If basic school refusal interventions aren’t working for your child, there are programs that can help.

Asheville Academy Can Help
Asheville Academy, a residential treatment center in a traditional school setting for girls 10-14, helps teen girls struggling with anxiety, depression and other emotional and behavioral issues. If your daughter’s school refusal issues are getting out of hand, consider sending her to Asheville Academy, a therapeutic boarding school. With a caring staff and a clinically based program, Asheville Academy can help your daughter feel comfortable with school.

For more information about Asheville Academy, contact us today at 800.264.8709