Sarah W. Lenhoff
@sarahlenhoff.bsky.social
Education policy researcher and professor at Wayne State University, DPSCD parent, neighbor, friend. Director of Detroit PEER: detroitpeer.org
Pinned
Rethinking Chronic Absenteeism
A call for community-based approaches to reducing the barriers that prevent regular attendance in K-12 schools In Rethinking Chronic Absenteeism, Sarah Winc...
hep.gse.harvard.edu
It has been really rewarding to finally have my & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social's book out in the world! We're finding that many school & community leaders intuitively "get" our premise but are struggling with how to move beyond the common school-centered toolbox.
hep.gse.harvard.edu/978168253961...
hep.gse.harvard.edu/978168253961...
School transportation seems like one of those obvious resources that is essential to making public school work, yet it often gets short shrift. I was glad to work with Sam to summarize what we know about school transit usage, offerings, and effects in this @aefplivehandbook.bsky.social chapter.
Transportation plays a key role in how families experience school choice. Learn more in Sarah W. Lenhoff (@sarahlenhoff.bsky.social) and Samuel Speroni’s chapter on transportation in school choice systems: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...
October 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
School transportation seems like one of those obvious resources that is essential to making public school work, yet it often gets short shrift. I was glad to work with Sam to summarize what we know about school transit usage, offerings, and effects in this @aefplivehandbook.bsky.social chapter.
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
Supported by both the Fordham Institute and @wallacefoundation.bsky.social, Michael Hartney and I explored the extent to which U.S. school board members are politically and demographically representative of the communities they serve.
Here's a summary of our main findings:
1/12
Here's a summary of our main findings:
1/12
New from Fordham, the Wallace Foundation, @dmhouston.bsky.social & Michael Hartney:
Who’s on Board? School Boards and Political Representation in an Age of Conflict fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
Who’s on Board? School Boards and Political Representation in an Age of Conflict fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
Who’s on Board? School Boards and Political Representation in an Age of Conflict
School boards have become ground zero for America’s education culture wars, with fiery debates over race, gender, curriculum, and pandemic policies making national headlines. But beyond the noise, how...
fordhaminstitute.org
October 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Supported by both the Fordham Institute and @wallacefoundation.bsky.social, Michael Hartney and I explored the extent to which U.S. school board members are politically and demographically representative of the communities they serve.
Here's a summary of our main findings:
1/12
Here's a summary of our main findings:
1/12
Reminder to apply for our postdoc positions at Detroit PEER! Deadline is Friday and we'll be interviewing candidates within the next few weeks!
📢 Job Posting! 📢 We are hiring TWO postdocs at Detroit PEER at Wayne State (detroitpeer.org)! We are looking for one quant/mixed methods expert and one qual/mixed expert to work with me & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social on attendance research. Apply by Oct. 10, but flexible on start date! Please share!
Detroit PEER Postdoc Job Description 2025.pdf
drive.google.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reminder to apply for our postdoc positions at Detroit PEER! Deadline is Friday and we'll be interviewing candidates within the next few weeks!
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
Come work with us! We’re really excited about our research on attendance and chronic absenteeism. And we’d be really excited to work with you! Reach out if you have any questions.
Detroit-based preferred, but remote might be possible. Start as early as Dec 2025 or later in Spring/Summer 2026.
Detroit-based preferred, but remote might be possible. Start as early as Dec 2025 or later in Spring/Summer 2026.
📢 Job Posting! 📢 We are hiring TWO postdocs at Detroit PEER at Wayne State (detroitpeer.org)! We are looking for one quant/mixed methods expert and one qual/mixed expert to work with me & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social on attendance research. Apply by Oct. 10, but flexible on start date! Please share!
Detroit PEER Postdoc Job Description 2025.pdf
drive.google.com
September 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Come work with us! We’re really excited about our research on attendance and chronic absenteeism. And we’d be really excited to work with you! Reach out if you have any questions.
Detroit-based preferred, but remote might be possible. Start as early as Dec 2025 or later in Spring/Summer 2026.
Detroit-based preferred, but remote might be possible. Start as early as Dec 2025 or later in Spring/Summer 2026.
📢 Job Posting! 📢 We are hiring TWO postdocs at Detroit PEER at Wayne State (detroitpeer.org)! We are looking for one quant/mixed methods expert and one qual/mixed expert to work with me & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social on attendance research. Apply by Oct. 10, but flexible on start date! Please share!
Detroit PEER Postdoc Job Description 2025.pdf
drive.google.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:19 PM
📢 Job Posting! 📢 We are hiring TWO postdocs at Detroit PEER at Wayne State (detroitpeer.org)! We are looking for one quant/mixed methods expert and one qual/mixed expert to work with me & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social on attendance research. Apply by Oct. 10, but flexible on start date! Please share!
Check out our new report on how Michigan schools are addressing the persistent problem of chronic absenteeism. @jeremylsinger.bsky.social has a great thread on our key findings. Please reach out with feedback or ideas for potential collaboration on future work!
NEW: We conducted a survey of all school leaders in Michigan in 2024-25 about their attendance strategies. Our report offers the most comprehensive evidence thus far of what schools are actively doing to reduce chronic absenteeism. @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
detroitpeer.org/wp-content/u...
August 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Check out our new report on how Michigan schools are addressing the persistent problem of chronic absenteeism. @jeremylsinger.bsky.social has a great thread on our key findings. Please reach out with feedback or ideas for potential collaboration on future work!
Detroit's @cityofdetroit.bsky.social city government can play a bigger role in improving the conditions for educational success for our city's young people. Detroit PEER has released four fact sheets focused on the areas our next mayor should address. detroitpeer.org/resources/
July 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Detroit's @cityofdetroit.bsky.social city government can play a bigger role in improving the conditions for educational success for our city's young people. Detroit PEER has released four fact sheets focused on the areas our next mayor should address. detroitpeer.org/resources/
Thanks to the folks @edpolicyinca.org for giving us a chance to apply our research findings on chronic absenteeism to the CA context.
In a new PACE commentary, @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social of WSU COE conclude that schools cannot be expected to solve chronic absenteeism alone but need community & state support to address systemic barriers for students and families. edpolicyinca.org/newsroom/ret... (1/3)
PACE - Rethinking Chronic Absenteeism in California
Abstract: Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10 percent or more school days—has surged in California since the pandemic, with 20 percent of students chronically absent in 2023–24. This is not mere...
edpolicyinca.org
July 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Thanks to the folks @edpolicyinca.org for giving us a chance to apply our research findings on chronic absenteeism to the CA context.
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
In a new PACE commentary, @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social of WSU COE conclude that schools cannot be expected to solve chronic absenteeism alone but need community & state support to address systemic barriers for students and families. edpolicyinca.org/newsroom/ret... (1/3)
PACE - Rethinking Chronic Absenteeism in California
Abstract: Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10 percent or more school days—has surged in California since the pandemic, with 20 percent of students chronically absent in 2023–24. This is not mere...
edpolicyinca.org
July 15, 2025 at 5:41 PM
In a new PACE commentary, @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social of WSU COE conclude that schools cannot be expected to solve chronic absenteeism alone but need community & state support to address systemic barriers for students and families. edpolicyinca.org/newsroom/ret... (1/3)
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
Using data from Michigan, we find that third grade retention for struggling readers may be a much less important component of the benefits of literacy reforms than previously understood.
(Thx, @annenberginstitute.bsky.social, for the dissemination bump!)
(Thx, @annenberginstitute.bsky.social, for the dissemination bump!)
📢 #EdWorkingPapers: Flagged for retention, but not retained: Michigan’s 3rd-grade retention policy raised reading scores largely by triggering extra help, not holding kids back.
🔍Jordan Berne, Brian Jacob, @weilanch.bsky.social, Katharine Strunk
📄 edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1188
🔍Jordan Berne, Brian Jacob, @weilanch.bsky.social, Katharine Strunk
📄 edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1188
May 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Using data from Michigan, we find that third grade retention for struggling readers may be a much less important component of the benefits of literacy reforms than previously understood.
(Thx, @annenberginstitute.bsky.social, for the dissemination bump!)
(Thx, @annenberginstitute.bsky.social, for the dissemination bump!)
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
The Spencer Foundation is offering rapid response bridge funding for those who lost NSF research grants.
www.spencer.org/grant_types/...
www.spencer.org/grant_types/...
Rapid Response Bridge Funding Program
In the face of recent abrupt shifts in federal funding for education research, including large-scale terminations of National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant awards, we have developed a rap...
www.spencer.org
May 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The Spencer Foundation is offering rapid response bridge funding for those who lost NSF research grants.
www.spencer.org/grant_types/...
www.spencer.org/grant_types/...
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
So much time and money spent on testing, accountability, charters, vouchers—really what we need to do is fix the buildings, but there’s never money for it. www.freep.com/story/news/e...
Study finds Michigan public schools need $22.8 billion for repairs. Where's the money?
School buildings in the state are aging − rapidly − and a new study has found public district buildings need $22.8 billion in repairs or renovations.
www.freep.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
So much time and money spent on testing, accountability, charters, vouchers—really what we need to do is fix the buildings, but there’s never money for it. www.freep.com/story/news/e...
It has been really rewarding to finally have my & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social's book out in the world! We're finding that many school & community leaders intuitively "get" our premise but are struggling with how to move beyond the common school-centered toolbox.
hep.gse.harvard.edu/978168253961...
hep.gse.harvard.edu/978168253961...
Rethinking Chronic Absenteeism
A call for community-based approaches to reducing the barriers that prevent regular attendance in K-12 schools In Rethinking Chronic Absenteeism, Sarah Winc...
hep.gse.harvard.edu
April 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
It has been really rewarding to finally have my & @jeremylsinger.bsky.social's book out in the world! We're finding that many school & community leaders intuitively "get" our premise but are struggling with how to move beyond the common school-centered toolbox.
hep.gse.harvard.edu/978168253961...
hep.gse.harvard.edu/978168253961...
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
In our book, @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social & I recommend policymakers promote a coordinated and cross-sector approach to chronic absenteeism. I was thrilled to learn from @edalliesmn.bsky.social about exciting steps in that direction happening in MN! Some highlights: www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily...
‘Cohesive response’ proposed to combat chronic absenteeism in Minnesota schools - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives
www.house.mn.gov
March 27, 2025 at 2:48 PM
In our book, @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social & I recommend policymakers promote a coordinated and cross-sector approach to chronic absenteeism. I was thrilled to learn from @edalliesmn.bsky.social about exciting steps in that direction happening in MN! Some highlights: www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily...
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
Our book is now published! You can order it here: hep.gse.harvard.edu/978168253961...
@sarahlenhoff.bsky.social and I would be very happy to talk to anyone who's interested in learning more, or who'd like to discuss some of what they've read.
@sarahlenhoff.bsky.social and I would be very happy to talk to anyone who's interested in learning more, or who'd like to discuss some of what they've read.
March 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Our book is now published! You can order it here: hep.gse.harvard.edu/978168253961...
@sarahlenhoff.bsky.social and I would be very happy to talk to anyone who's interested in learning more, or who'd like to discuss some of what they've read.
@sarahlenhoff.bsky.social and I would be very happy to talk to anyone who's interested in learning more, or who'd like to discuss some of what they've read.
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
This statement is nearing 1600 signatories. Have you signed? Have you sent to your friends & colleagues? Your department or university list-serve? Your alumni network?
if not, can you?
bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEd
or to go right to signing bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEdSign
if not, can you?
bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEd
or to go right to signing bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEdSign
March 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
This statement is nearing 1600 signatories. Have you signed? Have you sent to your friends & colleagues? Your department or university list-serve? Your alumni network?
if not, can you?
bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEd
or to go right to signing bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEdSign
if not, can you?
bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEd
or to go right to signing bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEdSign
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
This news, arriving the day before the "abolish USED" order, captures the fundamental contradiction in this admin's approach to ed policy:
A) We will eliminate the fed role and "send educ back to the states"
B) We will aggressively wield USED against states to enforce our vision for social policy
A) We will eliminate the fed role and "send educ back to the states"
B) We will aggressively wield USED against states to enforce our vision for social policy
Maine must take steps to prohibit transgender athletes from playing on girls’ sports teams in the next 10 days or it will risk losing millions of dollars in federal education funds, the U.S. Department said Wednesday. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Trump Admin. Gives Maine 10 Days to Bar Trans Athletes—or Risk School Funding
The finding of a Title IX violation is a test case of the president's use of federal funds as a cudgel for compliance with executive orders.
www.edweek.org
March 20, 2025 at 2:53 PM
This news, arriving the day before the "abolish USED" order, captures the fundamental contradiction in this admin's approach to ed policy:
A) We will eliminate the fed role and "send educ back to the states"
B) We will aggressively wield USED against states to enforce our vision for social policy
A) We will eliminate the fed role and "send educ back to the states"
B) We will aggressively wield USED against states to enforce our vision for social policy
I've got a paper w/ Kess Ballentine focused on how work policies (e.g., benefits, flexibility, discipline, etc.) & school policies intersect to create opps or challenges for parents' involvement in their children's schooling. Anyone have a panel we could join for @appam.bsky.social #2025APPAM?
Reminder: Submissions for #2025APPAM, the Annual Fall Research Conference, are open now through April 23! Learn more and submit here: ow.ly/3bqv50VcbZp
March 19, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I've got a paper w/ Kess Ballentine focused on how work policies (e.g., benefits, flexibility, discipline, etc.) & school policies intersect to create opps or challenges for parents' involvement in their children's schooling. Anyone have a panel we could join for @appam.bsky.social #2025APPAM?
I've learned so much from @efrankenberg.bsky.social's scholarship and was lucky enough to work with her on my first publication when I was in grad school. No less important, she is also a wonderful human being. This is so well deserved!
Congratulations to SSRI associate director @efrankenberg.bsky.social on being named a 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow!
➡️
➡️
Frankenberg named 2025 AERA Fellow | Social Science Research Institute
SSRI Associate Director Erica Frankenberg was recently named a 2025 American Educational Research Association Fellow.
buff.ly
March 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I've learned so much from @efrankenberg.bsky.social's scholarship and was lucky enough to work with her on my first publication when I was in grad school. No less important, she is also a wonderful human being. This is so well deserved!
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
On Monday, 3/31 at 12 PM ET, join @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social and @jeremylsinger.bsky.social for a virtual talk on their book, RETHINKING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. This event is hosted by the Monroe C. Gutman Library, moderated by @ehutt.bsky.social, and is free to attend! https://bit.ly/4k1uuyI
March 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On Monday, 3/31 at 12 PM ET, join @sarahlenhoff.bsky.social and @jeremylsinger.bsky.social for a virtual talk on their book, RETHINKING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. This event is hosted by the Monroe C. Gutman Library, moderated by @ehutt.bsky.social, and is free to attend! https://bit.ly/4k1uuyI
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
If you have research dependent on these data here is my suggestion
1/N
Big picture:
Create a dataset of cell means (cells must be big enough to pass disclosure)
- load these cell means into many, many tables & put through review
-These cell means can then be used in OLS - which runs on means
1/N
Big picture:
Create a dataset of cell means (cells must be big enough to pass disclosure)
- load these cell means into many, many tables & put through review
-These cell means can then be used in OLS - which runs on means
Research with restricted-use data is more precise, powerful, and relevant. Faculty and staff will be working through the weekend to answer important research questions before we no longer can. This is not normal, necessary, or efficient.
AERA has just learned that all restricted-use NCES data licenses will be cancelled, possibly as early as March 20. We urgently request that all AERA members and others in the research community with restricted-use licenses take these two actions: www.aera.net/Research-Pol...
March 15, 2025 at 12:21 AM
If you have research dependent on these data here is my suggestion
1/N
Big picture:
Create a dataset of cell means (cells must be big enough to pass disclosure)
- load these cell means into many, many tables & put through review
-These cell means can then be used in OLS - which runs on means
1/N
Big picture:
Create a dataset of cell means (cells must be big enough to pass disclosure)
- load these cell means into many, many tables & put through review
-These cell means can then be used in OLS - which runs on means
Reposted by Sarah W. Lenhoff
AERA has just learned that all restricted-use NCES data licenses will be cancelled, possibly as early as March 20. We urgently request that all AERA members and others in the research community with restricted-use licenses take these two actions: www.aera.net/Research-Pol...
March 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
AERA has just learned that all restricted-use NCES data licenses will be cancelled, possibly as early as March 20. We urgently request that all AERA members and others in the research community with restricted-use licenses take these two actions: www.aera.net/Research-Pol...
My 9yo daughter just described me as a “chronic absence scientist.”
March 15, 2025 at 3:17 AM
My 9yo daughter just described me as a “chronic absence scientist.”