1st Edition

Supporting Students with School Attendance Challenges A Collaborative Guide for Educators, Families and Therapists

By Monica L. Mandell Copyright 2026
118 Pages
by Eye On Education

118 Pages
by Eye On Education

118 Pages
by Eye On Education

For some students, school is not a place of growth and opportunity—it is a source of overwhelming anxiety and distress. Behind every empty desk lies a complex story of a child who often feels unseen, unheard, and disconnected from the school community. This illuminating book reveals the hidden world of school-avoidant students through an attachment-theory lens. These are not simply “truant”... Read more

1. The Complex Layers of School Avoidance  2. Wrapping A Student in Care  3. A Solid Attachment to a School Community Leads to Success Later in Life  4. The Impact of COVID-19 on Students with Social Anxiety  5. Is Suspension Just Another Pathway to School Avoidance?  6. Creating Space for School-Avoidant Students to Reclaim Their Voices  7. Providing a Helping Hand  8. Successful Outcomes On Their Own Terms

Biography

Monica L. Mandell, PhD, LMSW, is a bilingual social worker with extensive experience working with students and their families to develop individualized educational plans (IEPs) that address both academic and social needs. Her dissertation focused on understanding how school personnel view and interact with school-avoidant students. As part of her research, she developed a scale to assist school personnel in identifying quiet students who may be at risk for school avoidance. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University, where she teaches MSW and doctoral students. Additionally, Dr. Mandell runs MLM Advocacy, which helps students access special education services, mental health support, and a full circle of holistic services. She also works with a nonprofit organization to support school-avoidant students and assist families in obtaining IEPs. She is a member of the International School Avoidance Network (INSA) and has presented on using attachment theory when helping school-avoidant students, as well as on attendance policy.