Faculty play a central role in helping students stay connected to their courses. When a student begins missing class, arriving inconsistently, or disengaging from required course activities, a timely message from the instructor can make a meaningful difference.
The Proactive Outreach Tool helps Kirkwood identify students who may need support. Attendance concerns marked Significant or Critical will prompt academic advisor outreach. Attendance concerns marked Emerging are still important because they help advisors see patterns across courses and understand the student’s broader situation.
For attendance concerns, direct outreach from the faculty member is often the most effective next step.
What faculty can do
Reach out early
A short, timely message can help a student re-engage before the concern becomes more serious. The message does not need to be long. It should communicate care, name the concern clearly, and identify a manageable next step.
Sample message:
Hello,
I noticed that you have missed class recently, and I wanted to check in. Attendance is important because our class activities and discussions are connected to the work you will complete in the course.
Please review what you missed in Talon and let me know your plan for getting back on track. I also encourage you to attend the next class meeting so we can reconnect you with the course.
If something is getting in the way of your attendance, please let me know. I may be able to help you identify a next step or connect you with support.
Thank you,
Be clear about what the student missed
Students are more likely to re-engage when they understand the specific impact of missing class. Consider naming:
- The class meeting, lab, activity, discussion, quiz, or assignment they missed.
- What they should review before the next class.
- Whether there is a deadline or recovery step.
- How attendance connects to success in the course.
Make the next step manageable
Students who have missed class may feel overwhelmed. A clear next step can help them restart.
Helpful next steps might include:
- “Attend the next class meeting.”
- “Complete the missing quiz by Friday.”
- “Review the Week 3 module before our next class.”
- “Visit office hours this week.”
- “Schedule an Academic Coaching appointment.”
- “Reply to this message with your plan.”
Reinforce why class time matters
When students understand the purpose of class attendance, they may be more likely to return. Consider explaining how class time supports learning.
Examples:
- “The work we do in class prepares you for the next assignment.”
- “Class discussions help you practice the thinking you will need on the exam.”
- “The lab activities build skills that are difficult to make up independently.”
- “Missing class can make the next step harder, so I want to help you reconnect now.”
Use encouragement and accountability together
Students benefit from knowing that someone noticed their absence and believes they can recover.
Helpful language:
- “I’m glad to help you make a plan.”
- “You still have time to get back on track.”
- “The next class meeting is an important one.”
- “Please reply so I know you received this.”
- “Let’s identify your next step.”
Teaching practices that can support attendance
Faculty can also build course habits that make attendance feel meaningful and connected to success.
Consider:
- Opening class with a brief preview of why the day’s work matters.
- Using class time for active learning, practice, discussion, application, or feedback.
- Making assignment instructions, deadlines, and expectations easy to find.
- Helping students see how each major task connects to course outcomes.
- Building routines so students know what to expect when they return after missing class.
- Reminding students regularly about Learning Commons support, tutoring, and Academic Coaching.
When to connect students with additional support
A student may benefit from additional support when they have missed multiple classes, seem unsure how to recover, report academic barriers, or need help building a plan.
Faculty can encourage students to connect with Academic Coaching through the Learning Commons.
For questions about supporting attendance or helping students re-engage, contact: