Transforming Attendance: How Bassett Unified Cut Chronic Absenteeism by 53% Using Strengths and Well-Being

Before we can teach academic content, we must set the conditions for learning. For too long, traditional education has focused on measuring students—identifying deficits, tracking test scores, and analyzing what is missing or wrong. At Thrively, we advocate for a fundamentally different approach: Moving away from measuring students to truly knowing who they are. When schools build conditions around student strengths, well-being, Hope, and connection, every student is seen, heard, and cared for. When students are known, outcomes shift dramatically.

I bring this perspective not just as Chief Learning Officer at Thrively, but as a career educator with over 25 years of practitioner experience. Having served as a classroom teacher, school principal, superintendent of schools, and assistant state superintendent, I understand the complexities of school and district transformation. In particular, my time serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Chief Academic Officer for St. Louis Public Schools provided me with direct, first-hand experience leading whole-system instructional and culture shifts in a complex urban environment. I know the persistence, strategy, and relentless heart required to shift outcomes for thousands of students daily.

“There’s a huge reduction in disciplinary infractions from our staff building a very positive school culture – connecting and engaging the students in something different other than just an academic lesson, getting to know them.” 

Gamal Salama, Director of Student Services at Bassett USD

That experience in St. Louis and across state leadership gives me a deep appreciation for the work that Gamal Salama (Director of Student Services, Bassett Unified School District) and teams across the country are engaged in every single day.  When school systems ground their academic and climate strategies in whole-child well-being, we consistently see five transformative pillars of impact:

• Improved School Culture and Climate: Creating positive, supportive learning environments where students actively want to be.
• Increased Student Achievement: Helping learners reach their full potential academically by clearing the social-emotional barriers to learning.
• Decreased Discipline Infractions: Fostering safer school environments through proactive connection rather than reactive punishment.
• Increased Teacher Retention: Empowering educators with real-time insights into their students so they feel valued, effective, and supported.
• Decreased Equity Gaps: Ensuring all students—regardless of background—have the personalized support and opportunities needed to thrive.

Thrively in Action: Spotlight on Bassett Unified School District

A powerful example of this human-centered approach in practice comes from Bassett Unified School District in California, where transformative work is being led and supported by Gamal Salama, Director of Student Services.

Like many districts nationwide navigating post-pandemic challenges, Bassett Unified needed a sustainable, proactive strategy to re-engage students and combat elevated absenteeism rates. Rather than doubling down on compliance-driven attendance policies, Gamal and his team recognized that students show up when they feel connected and valued. They partnered with Thrively to rethink student engagement.

“Knowing your students strengths and what areas you need to focus on as you build this relationship with them and also in the classroom as you plan your lessons. It’s very important to know their strengths and areas of improvement and this is a way that you can build your SEL lessons or sequence.”

Gamal Salama, Director of Student Services at Bassett USD

Bassett educators shifted routines to start with “what’s strong.” They embedded digital whole-person well-being check-ins as an essential ritual—setting the stage for learning before delivering academic content. By prioritizing student strengths, emotional readiness, and relational safety first thing, teachers established deep connections and cultivated an authentic culture of belonging.

Through the strengths-first and well-being centered dedication of Bassett’s educators, the district’s attendance trends underwent a total transformation:

• 31.4% to 14.9%: Bassett’s district-wide chronic absenteeism rate dropped from 31.4% in the 2021–2022 school year to 14.9% as of June 1, 2026.
• 16.5 Percentage Points: A significant absolute reduction in chronic absenteeism across the system.
• 53% Overall Decrease: Bassett cut its chronic absenteeism rate by approximately 53% in four years.

The Power of Starting with What’s Strong

Reflecting on my time in St. Louis and across every educational leadership role I have held, I’ve learned many things; one lesson is that academic progress cannot happen in a vacuum. You cannot teach a student who is not in class, and a student will not consistently show up to a space where they do not feel known and seen. 

When leaders like Gamal Salama engage with strengths-based practices and prioritize student well-being, attendance is no longer a metric to enforce—it becomes the natural byproduct of a thriving school community. Bassett Unified proves that when we lead with strengths and well-being, lasting impact follows.

Start the transformation today. Take the strengths assessment for yourself »

You are already doing great work! Let’s take it to the next level of positive impact. To learn how Thrively can support, reach out to me at marion@thrively.com or visit www.thrively.com to explore more.

Click HERE to schedule time to meet with me directly. 

Thriving Together!

Dr. Marion Smith Jr. | Chief Learning Officer 

Dr. Marion Smith Jr. is an impact-driven career educator, equity leader and scholar practitioner. He has served as a public school teacher, school principal, chief academic officer, superintendent of schools and assistant state superintendent across 6 states. He is the co-author of the Racial Equity Adaptive Leadership (R.E.A.L.) Framework ©, and a life-long learner with an earned doctorate degree in educational leadership and change from Fielding Graduate University, a law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, and child and adolescent psychology certification from The Chicago School. Currently, Dr. Smith supports schools and school districts across the country as chief learning officer at Thrively – a social impact EdTech company revolutionizing education through strengths-based education and asset-based learning.