Reducing Chronic Absenteeism with Esports Driven Curriculums
Reducing Chronic Absenteeism with Esports Driven Curriculums
Dec 2, 2024
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Summary
Chronic absenteeism remains a major issue, driven by factors like bullying, disengagement, and lack of career connections. Esports-driven curriculums offer a solution by engaging students through their passions, improving attendance, fostering teamwork, and overlaps with CTE pathways to build career-ready skills. Schools with esports programs report higher attendance and fewer disciplinary issues. Gameplan supports this effort with tools to track attendance, engagement, and progress, providing actionable insights to help schools address absenteeism effectively.
Chronic Absenteeism Happens Everywhere
Chronic absenteeism – when students miss at least 10% of the school year – has been a problem in schools for a long time. Chronic absenteeism rates were expected to decline after the pandemic, but rates surged from 15% in 2018 to 28% in 2022. While chronic absenteeism rates were improved in 2023, it still remained 75% higher than its pre-pandemic state. But why is it still a problem and what can we do about it? Let’s take a look.
Nationwide, public school leaders estimated that 32% of students ended the 2023-2024 school year behind a grade level in at least one academic subject, which was 33% at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. As you can see in the below map, chronic absenteeism rates are still a problem, with 38 of the states having more than 20% chronic absenteeism rates.
To access sources of chronic absenteeism data, please fill out this form, and we will send the information to you.
Increasing Social Connectedness
According to a survey, 64% of American teens stated that they find school boring. 41% said they enjoy going to school while 30% said that school is a waste of time. Students also listed lack of interest in school, fear of bullying, school not providing value and not seeing a connection between classes and their career interests. The CDC reports that bullying and absenteeism are associated, with students who experience in-person and electronic bullying being 6 times more likely to miss school because of safety concerns than those who have not been bullied.
The high levels of chronic absence show the urgency of systematic responses to build a culture of daily attendance. This can be done by investing in solutions that create positive conditions for learning in schools so that students are motivated to show up. This also includes policy solutions to address unreliable transportation, food insecurity and health care.
The good news is that chronic absenteeism is a problem that can be addressed. The most effective way to tackle it is by using the data we have to identify areas of problem and try to prevent them.
How to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
Students who are absent in early grades are more likely to be absent in later grades. So how do you break the cycle? By using the power of one of the most popular student passions; esports. How? Video games, when incorporated into the curriculum, become a method of engaged instruction and learning that not only students love but has a multitude of benefits.
Esports creates a strong and meaningful incentive for kids to attend school. The integration of esports into the curriculum requires careful planning and consideration. Schools interested in integrating esports into their programs should consider factors like technology infrastructure, funding, and curriculum integration. The most common way of integrating esports into education is through esports curriculums or as an extracurricular activity, which we will explore in the following sections.
The data surrounding its impact paints a compelling picture. A study conducted in a California school district revealed that students participating in esports had a 33.5% lower absence rate compared to non-participants. On average, esports participants attended school 7.34 more days than their peers, resulting in an additional $354,000 in funding based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Beyond ADA funds, there are various state funds that can be used to cover esports program costs.
Teachers who have incorporated games into their lessons show that games increase the likelihood of students being more motivated to learn and show greater willingness to work with peers and engage in problem-solving.
Another study found that in just one month of implementing games into the classroom just for 20 minutes, the attendance of the participating students increased by 21% and their suspensions decreased by 27%
But how exactly does it reduce chronic absenteeism?
Giving Students Something to Look Forward To: Esports
We know that higher attendance results in desirable outcomes, with students in elementary and middle school with higher attendance having higher GPAs. Giving students something to look forward to, speaking to their passion and interests motivates them further to participate in school. It speaks to the 64% of students who find school boring and expressed a lack of interest and and not seeing connection between classes and careers, but also for those who fear bullying -who are 6 times more likely to miss school- as esports isn't just about individual skill. It's a team endeavor that requires effective communication and collaboration. Through esports, students can learn how to work together towards a common goal, forging new friendships.
One of the standout features of esports is its inherent inclusivity. It provides opportunities for individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds to compete and succeed. This inclusivity is crucial for breaking down barriers and promoting diversity in the gaming industry and beyond. Esports tournaments and events often feature diverse teams and celebrate individual achievements regardless of background, sending a powerful message of acceptance.
For example, Madison Junior High School reported a decrease in disciplinary actions and an improvement in attendance rates after introducing their esports education program. The program provided students with a sense of purpose and belonging, encouraging them to attend school regularly.
So in short, esports gives students a new reason to come to school. It connects their passions to real opportunities. By fostering teamwork and belonging, it keeps students engaged. Schools with esports programs see better attendance because simply when students look forward to school, they show up and esports makes that happen.
How Does an Esports Curriculum Work?
There are multiple ways to use esports at your school and in your curriculum.
Co-Curricular: Esports can be utilized within the core curriculum in two main ways. One is through game based learning with educational platforms like Minecraft Education, students can explore traditional subjects such as math, chemistry, and media production in an interactive and engaging way. Second, esports directly supports CTE pathways by teaching technical and creative skills like cybersecurity, game design, and media production. These programs are tied to real-world applications and align with educational standards. Lessons often include project-based learning, giving students hands-on experience while fostering critical thinking and collaboration.
Extracurricular: Schools can offer esports as an after-school program or as an esports club, providing students with a structured environment in which to practice and compete. This approach allows students to engage in esports without interfering with their academic responsibilities, letting students practice and compete in a structured environment while building soft skills like communication, leadership, and time management.
Esports serves as a high-interest content and engagement tool, offering a unique framework through which students explore curriculum-aligned subjects and skills relevant to their future careers aligned with their interests and passions. Positioning esports behind CTE pathways ensures clarity and purpose in the role it plays in educational approaches.
Schools can start small and scale up. Some might begin with a single esports club, while others integrate esports directly into their elective courses or CTE offerings. To support the integration of esports in schools, educators can leverage digital learning platforms and professional development courses on relevant topics.
Esports Overlaps with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways
That’s right! Esports overlap with many CTE pathways, mainly The Arts, Entertainment, & Design Career Cluster and Digital Technology Cluster because of the content of related esports curriculums.
A comprehensive esports curriculum touches on several clusters, including:
Design and Digital Arts: Careers in this field focus on creating visually engaging digital content. This includes animation, graphic design, web design, game design, augmented and virtual reality, and user interfaces. These careers combine artistic talent with technology to produce interactive content, commercial designs, and promotional materials. E.g.: digital animation, graphic arts, fashion, and interior design.
Lighting and Sound Technology: This cluster is critical for sound engineering and lighting design. These skills are used in film, music, performing arts, and immersive experiences. Professionals here craft moods, themes, and engaging atmospheres to elevate artistic projects.E.g.: Audio & Visual Technology, Lighting Design, and Sound Engineering.
Media Production Broadcasting: Students can explore careers in media production, broadcasting, and video production. This pathway also includes skills in filmmaking and journalism.E.g.: Broadcasting Technology, Filmmaking, Video Production, Journalism.
Performing Arts: Esports integrates performing arts with stage design and management, providing opportunities to explore creative and technical roles E.g.: Performing Arts, Stage Design & Management
IT & Cybersecurity: Now falling under digital technology, this pathway focuses on critical skills in information technology and cybersecurity, addressing the growing need for professionals who can safeguard digital infrastructures. Careers in this cluster include network administration, ethical hacking, cybersecurity analysis, and IT support.
Advanced Manufacturing; Construction; Hospitality, Events, & Tourism and Beyond: The new CTE pathways have many cross-cutting career clusters such as this one. Cross-cutting career clusters bridge multiple industries by integrating skills and knowledge from various sectors. The Arts, Entertainment, & Design cluster intersects with Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Hospitality, Events, & Tourism by blending creativity with technical expertise. This includes designing products, event spaces, and immersive experiences, as well as enhancing branding and marketing, showcasing how artistic skills drive innovation across diverse industries.
In advanced manufacturing, students can learn to design and produce innovative products such as custom gaming peripherals, interactive installations, and esports hardware using technologies like 3D printing and robotics. Construction careers tie into esports through the creation of gaming arenas, broadcast studios, and event spaces, requiring skills in architecture, engineering, and project management. In hospitality, events, and tourism, students can explore roles in planning and managing esports tournaments, fan conventions, and gaming expos. This involves customer service, logistics coordination, and marketing, making these industries essential to the growing global esports ecosystem.
By exposing students to diverse fields, esports programs help students discover passions and build versatile, future-ready careers. With these pathways, educators and CTE coordinators can use esports to connect students with growing industries and equip them with the skills to succeed.
Using Digital Learning Platforms to Address Chronic Absenteeism
To tackle chronic absenteeism, schools need to track and understand key data. Digital learning platforms make this process actionable and seamless.
We are a company that provides a revolutionary learning management system, curriculum, professional development, and learning experiences in the Arts, Entertainment, & Design and Digital Technology national CTE Cluster through esports.
With Gameplan, you can monitor student activity, track attendance, and measure engagement in real time. AI-powered tools provide custom reports, uncover trends and patterns, and deliver actionable insights. This data equips schools with the information they need to support students, improve attendance, and foster long-term success.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, please schedule a meeting with us with one click.
If you have missed it, to access sources of chronic absenteeism data, please fill out this form, and we will send the information to you.
Chronic Absenteeism Happens Everywhere
Chronic absenteeism – when students miss at least 10% of the school year – has been a problem in schools for a long time. Chronic absenteeism rates were expected to decline after the pandemic, but rates surged from 15% in 2018 to 28% in 2022. While chronic absenteeism rates were improved in 2023, it still remained 75% higher than its pre-pandemic state. But why is it still a problem and what can we do about it? Let’s take a look.
Nationwide, public school leaders estimated that 32% of students ended the 2023-2024 school year behind a grade level in at least one academic subject, which was 33% at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. As you can see in the below map, chronic absenteeism rates are still a problem, with 38 of the states having more than 20% chronic absenteeism rates.
To access sources of chronic absenteeism data, please fill out this form, and we will send the information to you.
Increasing Social Connectedness
According to a survey, 64% of American teens stated that they find school boring. 41% said they enjoy going to school while 30% said that school is a waste of time. Students also listed lack of interest in school, fear of bullying, school not providing value and not seeing a connection between classes and their career interests. The CDC reports that bullying and absenteeism are associated, with students who experience in-person and electronic bullying being 6 times more likely to miss school because of safety concerns than those who have not been bullied.
The high levels of chronic absence show the urgency of systematic responses to build a culture of daily attendance. This can be done by investing in solutions that create positive conditions for learning in schools so that students are motivated to show up. This also includes policy solutions to address unreliable transportation, food insecurity and health care.
The good news is that chronic absenteeism is a problem that can be addressed. The most effective way to tackle it is by using the data we have to identify areas of problem and try to prevent them.
How to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
Students who are absent in early grades are more likely to be absent in later grades. So how do you break the cycle? By using the power of one of the most popular student passions; esports. How? Video games, when incorporated into the curriculum, become a method of engaged instruction and learning that not only students love but has a multitude of benefits.
Esports creates a strong and meaningful incentive for kids to attend school. The integration of esports into the curriculum requires careful planning and consideration. Schools interested in integrating esports into their programs should consider factors like technology infrastructure, funding, and curriculum integration. The most common way of integrating esports into education is through esports curriculums or as an extracurricular activity, which we will explore in the following sections.
The data surrounding its impact paints a compelling picture. A study conducted in a California school district revealed that students participating in esports had a 33.5% lower absence rate compared to non-participants. On average, esports participants attended school 7.34 more days than their peers, resulting in an additional $354,000 in funding based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Beyond ADA funds, there are various state funds that can be used to cover esports program costs.
Teachers who have incorporated games into their lessons show that games increase the likelihood of students being more motivated to learn and show greater willingness to work with peers and engage in problem-solving.
Another study found that in just one month of implementing games into the classroom just for 20 minutes, the attendance of the participating students increased by 21% and their suspensions decreased by 27%
But how exactly does it reduce chronic absenteeism?
Giving Students Something to Look Forward To: Esports
We know that higher attendance results in desirable outcomes, with students in elementary and middle school with higher attendance having higher GPAs. Giving students something to look forward to, speaking to their passion and interests motivates them further to participate in school. It speaks to the 64% of students who find school boring and expressed a lack of interest and and not seeing connection between classes and careers, but also for those who fear bullying -who are 6 times more likely to miss school- as esports isn't just about individual skill. It's a team endeavor that requires effective communication and collaboration. Through esports, students can learn how to work together towards a common goal, forging new friendships.
One of the standout features of esports is its inherent inclusivity. It provides opportunities for individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds to compete and succeed. This inclusivity is crucial for breaking down barriers and promoting diversity in the gaming industry and beyond. Esports tournaments and events often feature diverse teams and celebrate individual achievements regardless of background, sending a powerful message of acceptance.
For example, Madison Junior High School reported a decrease in disciplinary actions and an improvement in attendance rates after introducing their esports education program. The program provided students with a sense of purpose and belonging, encouraging them to attend school regularly.
So in short, esports gives students a new reason to come to school. It connects their passions to real opportunities. By fostering teamwork and belonging, it keeps students engaged. Schools with esports programs see better attendance because simply when students look forward to school, they show up and esports makes that happen.
How Does an Esports Curriculum Work?
There are multiple ways to use esports at your school and in your curriculum.
Co-Curricular: Esports can be utilized within the core curriculum in two main ways. One is through game based learning with educational platforms like Minecraft Education, students can explore traditional subjects such as math, chemistry, and media production in an interactive and engaging way. Second, esports directly supports CTE pathways by teaching technical and creative skills like cybersecurity, game design, and media production. These programs are tied to real-world applications and align with educational standards. Lessons often include project-based learning, giving students hands-on experience while fostering critical thinking and collaboration.
Extracurricular: Schools can offer esports as an after-school program or as an esports club, providing students with a structured environment in which to practice and compete. This approach allows students to engage in esports without interfering with their academic responsibilities, letting students practice and compete in a structured environment while building soft skills like communication, leadership, and time management.
Esports serves as a high-interest content and engagement tool, offering a unique framework through which students explore curriculum-aligned subjects and skills relevant to their future careers aligned with their interests and passions. Positioning esports behind CTE pathways ensures clarity and purpose in the role it plays in educational approaches.
Schools can start small and scale up. Some might begin with a single esports club, while others integrate esports directly into their elective courses or CTE offerings. To support the integration of esports in schools, educators can leverage digital learning platforms and professional development courses on relevant topics.
Esports Overlaps with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways
That’s right! Esports overlap with many CTE pathways, mainly The Arts, Entertainment, & Design Career Cluster and Digital Technology Cluster because of the content of related esports curriculums.
A comprehensive esports curriculum touches on several clusters, including:
Design and Digital Arts: Careers in this field focus on creating visually engaging digital content. This includes animation, graphic design, web design, game design, augmented and virtual reality, and user interfaces. These careers combine artistic talent with technology to produce interactive content, commercial designs, and promotional materials. E.g.: digital animation, graphic arts, fashion, and interior design.
Lighting and Sound Technology: This cluster is critical for sound engineering and lighting design. These skills are used in film, music, performing arts, and immersive experiences. Professionals here craft moods, themes, and engaging atmospheres to elevate artistic projects.E.g.: Audio & Visual Technology, Lighting Design, and Sound Engineering.
Media Production Broadcasting: Students can explore careers in media production, broadcasting, and video production. This pathway also includes skills in filmmaking and journalism.E.g.: Broadcasting Technology, Filmmaking, Video Production, Journalism.
Performing Arts: Esports integrates performing arts with stage design and management, providing opportunities to explore creative and technical roles E.g.: Performing Arts, Stage Design & Management
IT & Cybersecurity: Now falling under digital technology, this pathway focuses on critical skills in information technology and cybersecurity, addressing the growing need for professionals who can safeguard digital infrastructures. Careers in this cluster include network administration, ethical hacking, cybersecurity analysis, and IT support.
Advanced Manufacturing; Construction; Hospitality, Events, & Tourism and Beyond: The new CTE pathways have many cross-cutting career clusters such as this one. Cross-cutting career clusters bridge multiple industries by integrating skills and knowledge from various sectors. The Arts, Entertainment, & Design cluster intersects with Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Hospitality, Events, & Tourism by blending creativity with technical expertise. This includes designing products, event spaces, and immersive experiences, as well as enhancing branding and marketing, showcasing how artistic skills drive innovation across diverse industries.
In advanced manufacturing, students can learn to design and produce innovative products such as custom gaming peripherals, interactive installations, and esports hardware using technologies like 3D printing and robotics. Construction careers tie into esports through the creation of gaming arenas, broadcast studios, and event spaces, requiring skills in architecture, engineering, and project management. In hospitality, events, and tourism, students can explore roles in planning and managing esports tournaments, fan conventions, and gaming expos. This involves customer service, logistics coordination, and marketing, making these industries essential to the growing global esports ecosystem.
By exposing students to diverse fields, esports programs help students discover passions and build versatile, future-ready careers. With these pathways, educators and CTE coordinators can use esports to connect students with growing industries and equip them with the skills to succeed.
Using Digital Learning Platforms to Address Chronic Absenteeism
To tackle chronic absenteeism, schools need to track and understand key data. Digital learning platforms make this process actionable and seamless.
We are a company that provides a revolutionary learning management system, curriculum, professional development, and learning experiences in the Arts, Entertainment, & Design and Digital Technology national CTE Cluster through esports.
With Gameplan, you can monitor student activity, track attendance, and measure engagement in real time. AI-powered tools provide custom reports, uncover trends and patterns, and deliver actionable insights. This data equips schools with the information they need to support students, improve attendance, and foster long-term success.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, please schedule a meeting with us with one click.
If you have missed it, to access sources of chronic absenteeism data, please fill out this form, and we will send the information to you.
Written by
Chris Aviles
Chris Aviles is the Product Evangelist at Gameplan and the founder of Garden State Esports. A passionate educator and pioneer in scholastic esports, Chris has revolutionized the educational landscape by integrating esports into schools. His book, The Esports Education Playbook: Empowering Every Learner Through Inclusive Gaming, reflects his commitment to using gaming to enhance student engagement and learning. Under his leadership, GSE has become the largest scholastic esports league in the U.S., fostering teamwork, leadership, and inclusivity among students. At Gameplan, Chris continues to advance his mission of expanding esports opportunities in education.
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