Fallbrook STEM Academy has been selected to participate in the ICAN initiative, earning an award for their motivation, participation, and engagement in tackling chronic absenteeism. In 2023, nearly 25% of students in San Diego County missed 18 or more school days, with significant effects on students of color and vulnerable populations, including foster youth and those experiencing homelessness. This ongoing issue has put many students at risk of falling behind academically.
ICAN, the San Diego County Improving Chronic Absence Network, aims to address this challenge by helping schools implement targeted, evidence-based changes to improve attendance. The initiative provides a framework for collective learning and action, guided by improvement science principles. School teams of three to five members commit to a yearlong program, supported by an improvement coach, where they engage in onboarding activities, attend collaborative learning sessions, and test attendance strategies during designated action periods. The program concludes with a final gathering for teams to celebrate achievements and plan for sustaining their efforts.