Article

Applied Shewhart charts in education to understand chronic absenteeism across the state of California: A methods application

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Abstract

Chronic absenteeism rates in the State of California doubled from 14.3% to 30% during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This paper introduces the use of Shewhart charts to identify schools exhibiting special cause (good) variation in chronic absenteeism rates across California that can provide insight into practices and policies that can improve attendance. First, an analysis of difference was conducted - a form of time series analysis allowing the investigators to detect unusually (special cause) good/rapid improvement in chronic absenteeism rates by a school from the pandemic high (using I or Individuals charts to detect special causes or bright spots). Second, a cohort analysis was conducted - analyzing the most recent absenteeism data, 2023-2024, in schools across counties (using P charts to detect bright spots). Both datasets were joined, identifying 37 "super” bright spots or schools with both rapid improvement from 2022 to 2024 and lower chronic absenteeism in 2024. A subset of these schools was interviewed to discover common practices. The RAISE Network provides an initial package of change ideas (evidence-based practices) to schools and districts that can be used to inform policy and practice in regards to improving chronic absenteeism.

Keywords: Shewhart charts, Control charts, Chronic absenteeism, Bright spots

How to Cite:

Geary, E., Provost, L. & Bennett, B., (2026) “Applied Shewhart charts in education to understand chronic absenteeism across the state of California: A methods application”, Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation 31(1): 3. doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/pare.3328