Anyhoo we know a lot about how to make schools work, and have for a long time (see Effective Schools research from the 1970's and 1980's). To me the question is not what to do, but the political will to make it happen and consistent support for the hard slog of making it happen on the ground.

Appreciate how @jeremylsinger.bsky.social puts current attendance trends in historical context here. The crisis discourse suggests a huge shift, when evidence points to longstanding indicators of poor attendance that still need to be addressed.