TreasureX Researchnber.wpHome Visits Cut Chronic Absenteeism Sharply, Study Finds
Eric Brunner, Shangyue Jiang, Stephen Ross · November 2, 2026
A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research examines Connecticut's Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP), launched in summer 2021. Under LEAP, school staff visited the homes of students flagged as chronically absent across the state's 15 most disadvantaged districts, aiming to build direct connections between families and teachers.
Using student-level data from 2021–22 through 2023–24, the authors ran event studies that account for the fact that students entered the program at different times, and for differences in both observable and unobservable traits. They found attendance rose by roughly 4 to 5 percentage points, chronic absenteeism fell by 13 to 15 percentage points, and disciplinary incidents dropped by 3 to 5 percentage points. Benefits appeared across gender, race and ethnicity, and free or reduced-price lunch status. The authors suggest the gains reflect improved noncognitive skills rather than just logistics.
Why it matters: chronic absenteeism surged after the pandemic and is tied to weaker learning and higher dropout risk. A low-tech, relationship-based intervention producing effects this large is notable for school districts weighing cost-effective fixes. For investors, the findings hint at demand for attendance and family-engagement tools in education technology, though no public company is named in the research.
Source: National Bureau of Economic Research, https://www.nber.org/papers/w35961#fromrss
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