The first step to helping students who won't attend school is to find out why they aren't coming. Underlying reasons for school refusal include:
- Avoidance of school-related stimuli provoking negative emotions such as anxiety and depression
- Escape from school-related aversive social and/or evaluative situations
- Obtainment of attention from significant others (e.g., parents)
- Pursuit of tangible reinforcement outside of school (e.g., shopping, playing with friends or using drugs)
School counselors can give parents and students "The School Refusal Assessment Scale- Revised" (click here) to determine which factor is maintaining their school refusal. After you find out why they aren't coming, you can start planning interventions. For intervention ideas, see this article from ASCA.