How schools can use AI to improve student attendance 

New Zealand schools are grappling with persistent attendance challenges, driven by factors such as illness, mental health pressures, transport barriers and family circumstances.

These absences weaken student engagement and can have long-term consequences for higher education pathways and career readiness. AI emerges as a practical, results-focused solution, helping educators identify at-risk students early and deliver targeted interventions before issues escalate into lasting setbacks. 

1. Personalized communication and engagement 

AI-powered chatbots and messaging platforms keep families engaged by delivering timely reminders, scheduled updates and personalised encouragement that help students stay on track. With built-in language translation, these tools break down barriers for non-English-speaking households. 

This is a crucial approach in a country that welcomed nearly 70,000 international students in 2023. By making communication clear, inclusive and accessible, schools can foster stronger partnerships with families and ensure every caregiver can support their child’s attendance and learning journey. 

2. Early identification through predictive analytics 

AI can analyse past attendance records, academic performance and behavioral data to pinpoint students at risk of falling behind. This approach has never been more critical, as enrollment in undergraduate programs has declined significantly in recent years. So, it’s essential to keep learners engaged well before they reach tertiary education. 

Schools can address challenges before they escalate by turning these insights into action, such as initiating proactive conversations with parents or arranging targeted academic support. The result is a timely, data-driven strategy that keeps students on a path toward long-term success. 

3. Attendance gamification and motivation tools 

AI-driven apps can make classrooms more engaging by tracking presence and awarding points, badges or public recognition to students who consistently show up. Beyond rewarding participation, these tools can identify learners who may need extra support by recording how they respond to each question in an online learning game. 

When integrated with class dashboards, students can see their progress in real time. This feature sparks friendly competition and motivates them to keep improving. It builds positive peer influence and transforms attendance into a shared, community-driven goal. 

4. Real-time data dashboards for staff and leadership 

Centralised AI dashboards provide school leaders with a clear, real-time snapshot of attendance by class, year group and demographic. They also simplify the process of identifying trends and addressing gaps. When patterns suggest a potential concern, the system can automatically alert pastoral care teams, ensuring at-risk students receive timely attention and support. 

These dashboards transform complex attendance data into clear, actionable insights. They empower educators and administrators to make fast, informed decisions that strengthen engagement and keep students present in the classroom. 

Related article: “Generative AI tools used frequently by interested primary teachers in NZ”

5. Dynamic timetable and transport optimisation 

AI systems can optimise school timetables by analysing data trends, helping avoid low-engagement periods and scheduling high-focus subjects when students are most alert. They can also improve transport efficiency by mapping and adjusting bus routes, which is especially valuable for rural areas or cities where delays are common. 

New Zealand’s top five cities average 15 to 21 minutes of travel for just six miles. By streamlining schedules and reducing travel time, AI helps remove logistical barriers that often contribute to lateness, making it easier for students to arrive on time and ready to learn. 

Building momentum for better attendance with AI 

AI is a powerful ally in improving school attendance, enabling early intervention through predictive analytics and supporting informed decision-making with real-time data. Schools don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Starting small with one or two targeted strategies allows them to test, measure and refine their approach. By building on proven successes, they can expand their AI use and improve attendance and overall student outcomes. 

Article by Zacahry Amos. 

Also by Zacahry Amos: “Are AI detection tools biased against English language learners?”