Douglas Fisher, Ph.D., is a professor of education leadership at San Diego State University in California. In this Q&A, he discusses Harmony Academy’s approach to chronic absenteeism.
Clark County School District in Nevada has made impressive strides in reducing chronic absenteeism by 9%. What key strategies have contributed to this success?
CCSD’s 9% reduction in chronic absenteeism is a result of their comprehensive approach to supporting students, families and educators. Some of the recent strategies I’ve seen them use are focused on building relationships, fostering belonging and engaging both students and families/guardians. They partnered with Harmony Academy at National University to implement the research-based Harmony Curriculum and an educator certificate program to help strengthen school and classroom cultures. They also integrated Harmony at Home into their family engagement centers. These efforts — in combination with intervention efforts — are making a real difference in their community.
How does this whole-community approach help prevent absenteeism long-term?
It’s about creating a supportive ecosystem around every student. By building strong relationships between educators, families and the community, CCSD is ensuring that students feel valued and supported, both at school and at home. This sense of belonging encourages regular attendance and helps prevent chronic absenteeism in the long run.
What role does the in-classroom curriculum play in reducing absenteeism?
Harmony Curriculum helps create a positive classroom environment by encouraging students to build healthy relationships with each other and their teachers, which creates an overall sense of belonging. Research shows that when students feel valued and connected, they are more likely to attend school. Students are more engaged when they feel part of the school community, and that’s a big part of what Harmony provides.
How has staff training helped with this initiative?
Ongoing staff learning is critical. CCSD has seen tremendous interest in the Harmony Educator and Leader Certificate programs. Over 1,500 teachers and leaders have signed up — nearly 1,000 of them in the first 48 hours registration was open! These training programs equip educators with tools to foster positive relationships while also learning, and they promote a culture of belonging. When teachers connect with students on a deeper level, students feel more motivated to come to school and succeed.
Family engagement is another key aspect of CCSD’s strategy. How are they involving families in addressing absenteeism?
Family engagement is also essential for success, and CCSD’s tactics include home visits and 12 family engagement centers across the district. At these centers, facilitators use Harmony at Home lessons to show parents how to support their children’s social and emotional development at home. The program helps build stronger connections between school and home, reinforcing the importance of regular attendance and overall well-being.
Can you advise district leaders looking to emulate CCSD and Harmony Academy’s partnership?
Building a sense of belonging can’t be left to chance. I recommend that district leaders be intentional about helping students feel connected to their teachers and their peers. Ultimately, that’s how we get them to show up in the classroom. That’s what CCSD and Harmony Academy partnered to do, and it’s paying off.
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