The thing in this chapter that struck me was that students who start skipping school often began skipping because they feel alone and invisible at school. It had more to do with the social aspects of school than the academics. Also they often want to come back but they are afraid of teachers greeting them with a sarcastic or negative comment. I was also floored by the fact that some teachers would pass a student they see so seldom that they don't even recognize them.
When they can trust you not to embarrass them they are able to feel safe. I think if you make a point to just be welcoming to those students who are frequently absent, and ask them how you can help them come more often, they will be more willing to be there. If you genuinely want them there school will become a safe place and they will come more often. Teachers who pass students that are never there set a bad precedent. Not only are they not doing that student any favors, the other students no longer respect them because of their intellectual dishonesty, and will not do the hard stuff anymore.
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