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Evaluating the Impact of the TalkingPoints Family Engagement Platform on Student Attendance and Achievement

Principal Investigator

Anja Kurki – AIR

Project Description

This study evaluates the causal impact of the TalkingPoints Family Engagement Platform on student attendance and academic outcomes in Pre-K through elementary school. Using a school-level randomized controlled trial, approximately 60 schools will be assigned to either implement the platform or continue with business-as-usual practices. The intervention provides automated and two-way communication tools designed to increase family engagement and improve attendance behaviors. The study uses administrative data on student attendance and achievement, along with platform usage data, surveys, and focus groups to examine both outcomes and implementation. The analysis will also explore subgroup effects, usage patterns, and whether changes in attendance mediate impacts on academic outcomes.

Research Questions

  • Does the TalkingPoints platform improve student attendance?
  • What is the impact on academic achievement and family engagement?
  • How do impacts vary across student subgroups and patterns of platform usage?

Status

In Progress

Study Type

RCT

Grantee

TalkingPoints

American Institutes of Research (AIR)

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Young boy sits in desk at school

Courtesy of TalkingPoints

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