The meeting will focus on several perspectives. It will kick off with a look at how teachers experience the attendance and absence of pupils and students. How do they deal with this? In breakout sessions, the meeting will zoom in on what this is like for young people themselves and for parents. The meeting will also broaden its perspective to include other countries: how does education internationally deal with this issue? There will also be a basic workshop for anyone who has only recently begun exploring the subject of school attendance. You can also take part in a session where you discuss your own practical experiences with colleagues.

Programme

  • 12:30 - 13:00: Arrival
  • 13:00 - 13:20: The Knowledge Network and current developments
  • 13:20 - 14:20: Keynote presentation: 'The teacher's perspective' by Irene Eegdeman (researcher at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences/ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland) and Marrit Janabi (senior lecturer in education at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences).
  • 14:20 - 14:30: Break
  • 14:30 - 15:20: Workshop round 1
  • 15:20 - 15:40: Break, networking and meeting others
  • 15:40 - 16:30: Workshop round 2

The workshops

Participants can choose from six workshops:

1. The teacher's perspective

Session leader: Marrit Janabi (senior lecturer in education at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences)

  • Further exploration of the keynote presentation.

2. The young person's perspective

Session leaders: Nils Aukema, Melchior Wammes (ÉigenWijsheid advisory board) and Tim van den Berg (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science)

  • What were the outcomes of the workshops organised by young people during the Dutch School Attendance Congress at the end of September?
  • You will receive tips and tools to ensure that the young person's voice is also heard within your organisation.
  • You will receive an overview of all nationally operating youth sessions.

3. The parent's perspective

Session leaders: Mirjam van Bezooijen, mother of a pupil unable to attend school, and Joli Luijckx (Balans Parents' Association)

Please note: this workshop is for everyone who deals professionally with pupils unable to attend school.

  • Using a real-life practical example, we will analyse with all participants what happened and what we can learn from it. What dilemmas did we experience? We will also explore solutions together.

4. International perspective

Session leaders: René Halberstadt (Ingrado) and Chaja Deen (NJi)

  • Many (international) researchers attended the Dutch School Attendance Congress. Among other things, they examined the key common threads in the development of school attendance. We will share these findings and explore what they mean for developments in the Netherlands.

5. Basic School Attendance workshop

Session leader: Marije Brouwer (Ingrado)

  • What does school attendance really mean? How is the focus shifting from truancy to attendance, and what does this mean in practice? You will gain insight into the Multi-Dimensional Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MD-MTSS) framework and how it helps address school attendance. Suitable for both newcomers and experienced professionals.

6. Exchange and further exploration: share your own practical experience!

Session leader: Vincent Fafieanie (NJi)

  • An interactive session centred on participants' questions, making use of one another's knowledge and experience. Participants will be divided into small groups based on their interests.