Findings from the Graduate School for Education underscore the fact that the effects of absenteeism are cumulative, with each missed day contributing to classroom ‘chaos.’
“The core of being a teacher is instruction and helping kids grow and develop,” Gottfried says. “Absenteeism pulls teachers away from that core purpose.” The study, which focused on kindergarten teachers, found that higher student absenteeism led to lower satisfaction, reduced feelings of usefulness, and diminished belief in the teaching profession.
The findings underscore that the effects of absenteeism are cumulative, with each missed day contributing to what Gottfried calls growing classroom “chaos.” Teachers maintain instructional practices but experience declining morale and satisfaction, reinforcing the need to address absenteeism not only for students’ academic growth but also for teacher well-being.
On the move: Water quality and antimicrobial resistance testing goes mobile
Penn researchers have developed a mobile field laboratory allowing them to test water quality and track antimicrobial resistance in and around San Cristóbal in the Galápagos.
Penn researchers Vanessa and Alexis North are studying one of the largest collections of Egyptian blue objects ever found in the ancient Near East, shedding new light on how the world’s first synthetic pigment may have traveled far beyond Egypt.
A new role for dental providers? Rethinking where vaccines are given
Vaccinations have traditionally been administered in primary care settings or pharmacies. However, for about a decade, some states have authorized dentists to administer vaccines, and many others did so during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of this approach has led some countries and states to expand or consider expanding the role of dental providers in delivering routine vaccines, including those against COVID-19 and the human papillomavirus (HPV), and in providing vaccine education.
Penn student develops a way for computer chips to run more efficiently
Fluid Silicon, a platform from President’s Sustainability Prize winner Nhlanhla Mavuso, allows computer chips to continuously monitor their health and self-tune as their characteristics change. The technology has the potential to reduce energy usage in data centers and improve reliability in mission-critical applications.
