Initiative Description: Students were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups and assessed pre and post-intervention on educational expectations, attitudes toward education, and emotional, cognitive, behavioral engagement, and attendance. The intervention consisted of daily phone calls to home before school, participation in a moral issues class, and sponsoring of club football and basketball teams. Intervention was 5 months in length

Study Results: The program successfully reduced absenteeism, increased educational expectations, attitude toward education, and engagement

Reference: Marvul, J.N. (2012). If you build it they will come: A successful truancy intervention in a small High school. Urban Education, 47(1):144-169.

Level of Evidence: Very Good