School absenteeism is a growing concern in education. It affects students’ academic performance, social development, and long-term success. Whether students skip school occasionally or frequently, the consequences can be serious.
Luckily, tutoring offers a solution to help students stay engaged, catch up on missed work, and build a path to academic success.
Roughly 23 per cent of Canadian students sampled in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment reported skipping school at least once every two weeks. source
Understanding Absenteeism and Its Impact
Absenteeism is more than simply missing a few classes here and there. Chronic absenteeism—missing 10% or more school days—can lead to:
- Falling behind in coursework: missed lessons accumulate, making it harder to understand new material.
- Lower grades and test scores: academic gaps can impact performance across subjects.
- Increased dropout risk: students who fall behind may feel discouraged and disengaged.
- Social and emotional challenges: missing school can reduce peer interaction and support opportunities.
Even occasional absences can create stress and anxiety for students trying to catch up, making it essential to address the problem early on.
Stronger study skills can reduce school-related stress—access our study skills guide.
How Tutoring Helps Students Overcome Absenteeism
Tutoring is more than just extra homework help—it’s a targeted approach to ensuring students don’t fall behind. Here’s how personalized tutoring can make a difference for your family.
1. Filling Knowledge Gaps
Tutors assess which concepts a student has missed and provide individualized instruction to bridge those gaps. This process ensures students don’t fall behind, even if they’ve missed multiple lessons.
2. Building Confidence and Motivation
Struggling to keep up after missing school can be discouraging. Tutors provide encouragement and support, helping students regain confidence in their abilities and stay motivated to attend school regularly.
3. Developing Better Study Habits
Tutoring doesn’t just cover missed content. Tutoring teaches effective study skills, time management, and organization strategies, which can reduce future absenteeism and improve overall academic performance. Learn more about our cognitive learning approach here.
4. Personalized Pacing
Every student learns differently. Tutoring allows students to work at their own pace, ensuring they fully understand material before moving on. This personalized approach can prevent the frustration and stress that often lead to skipping school.
5. Reinforcing Accountability
Regular tutoring sessions create structure and accountability. Knowing they have dedicated time to focus on learning can encourage students to stay engaged in their education and attend school consistently.
Choosing the Right Tutoring Program
When selecting a tutoring program to address absenteeism, look for:
- Experienced, patient tutors who can adapt to the student’s learning style.
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate missed classes.
- Subject-specific expertise for targeted support.
- Progress tracking to monitor improvement and motivate continued learning.
TL; DR: Absenteeism doesn’t have to define a student’s academic journey. With the right tutoring support, students can catch up on missed lessons, regain confidence, and develop inner motivation to stay focused in school. Investing in tutoring is not just a short-term solution—it’s a long-term strategy for academic success and personal growth.
If your student struggles to keep up due to missed school, our tutoring services can provide the personalized support they need.
Contact us today to help your student get back on track.
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