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Understanding America Study: Parent and Student Perspectives on Absenteeism and AI in Education

Principal Investigator

Morgan Polikoff and Anna Rosefsky Saavedra – University of Southern California

Project Description

This study leverages the Understanding America Study (UAS), a nationally representative panel of over 15,000 households, to field multiple waves of surveys with both parents and students over a two-year period. The surveys focus on understanding the root causes of absenteeism, including student engagement and connectedness, as well as perceptions and use of artificial intelligence in education. The study examines how attitudes and behaviors evolve over time and how parent and student perspectives align or differ. Findings are intended to inform policy and practice by identifying key drivers of absenteeism and factors shaping AI adoption in educational settings.

Research Questions

  • What is the prevalence and effectiveness of different interventions to address absenteeism?
  • How do student engagement and connectedness relate to absenteeism?
  • How do parent and student perceptions and behaviors influence attendance and engagement?

Status

In Progress

Study Type

Survey Study Using a Nationally Representative Panel

Grantee

University of Southern California

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Young boy sits in desk at school

Courtesy of TalkingPoints

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