Agenda Item
a. Renewal: Everyday Labs (Not to exceed $169,233)
Summary: Presented by: Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the renewal of the EveryDay Labs Attendance Intervention platform for an additional year for an amount not to exceed $169,233.
Why: EveryDay Labs Intervention has been proven to reduce absenteeism among students from communities experiencing marginalization. Research shows chronic absences disproportionately affect students due to systemic barriers. EveryDay Labs Intervention provides the families of these students with proactive support that helps them access learning opportunities. EveryDay Labs Intervention is a research-based and proven effective solution that promotes student achievement by reducing absences and increasing access to learning opportunities.
Details: EveryDay Labs was piloted in DCSD during the second semester. Upon completion of professional development for Horizon School staff members, the program launched in March 2024. Everyday Labs monitors attendance and sends out text messages, which they refer to as nudges, to guardians when students are absent. Families have an opportunity to communicate with a bot that addresses the concern and provides resources as needed. Nudges are differentiated based on language, grade level, school and level of absenteeism.
Schools have access to the attendance dashboard via the Everyday Labs platform and can monitor parent contacts and communication. The goal of the program is to reduce chronic absences, support families in developing strong attendance habits, and help families make the connection between attendance and academic success.
Financial impact: The estimated cost of $169,233 per year to renew the platform is based on 15,752 students: Program Management & Design and Analytics Licenses (text nudges & support bot, mail nudges, check-in surveys, EveryDay Pro MTSS Platform).
The purchase amount not to exceed $169,233 will be paid using Title IV funding.
Contact: Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Chief, Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-1811,
Ms. Denise Revels, Director of Wrap Around and Support Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-2011,
Ms. Shelly Bishop, Coordinator of Social Work Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-2009
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
#29 (revised)— May 2023
Intervention Aims to Reduce Chronic
Absenteeism in Washington, DC
Nearly 16% of all students who received “nudge” communication were no
longer chronically absent.
Figure 1: Pre– and Post-Treatment Attendance
continued
Figure 2: Chronic Absenteeism Outcome by Pre-Treatment Attendance Tier
Feedback: Email Edsight.DME@dc.gov