COLUMN: Students are tuned out at school. Here's how we change that.

Across the country, teachers and administrators are working to address two major challenges: learning loss and student engagement.

A variety of factors make it difficult for students to attend class and stay engaged in their schoolwork — including pandemic-related learning gaps, mental health issues, family challenges and a lack of social connections at school.

These challenges have led to an increase in absenteeism. In many schools, that's creating a vicious cycle. When struggling students miss school, it's much harder for them to get caught up after they return. That can be overwhelming, with many missing more classes as a result.

The numbers shed light on how widespread these issues are. During the 2022-23 school year, 26% of public school students nationwide were chronically absent, missing 10% or more of the school year. It remains nearly double the pre-pandemic rate. 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness in 2023.

Although these challenges are significant, they're not insurmountable. As a former teacher and principal, I understand that educators can't address every contributing factor. However, we can foster better attendance and engagement by creating classrooms where students feel a sense of belonging and are motivated to interact with their peers.

Many schools have adopted project-based learning curricula — where students work on experiential, self-directed projects over an extended time. Since these projects are personalized and often creative, students feel more invested in them.

When implementing project-based learning effectively, schools have seen reduced absenteeism, improved performance, and higher engagement compared to traditional, "one-size-fits-all" instruction. A recent study measured a project-based curriculum against a traditional one among 3,600 students. The students in project-based classes had a pass rate eight percentage points higher than their peers on exams.

Taking students' ideas seriously can also increase engagement and attendance. For example, one high school responded to students' requests for an e-sports club. Over time, this passion turned the club into a thriving competitive program with a dedicated coach. One school district in California found that students who participated in e-sports had nearly 20% lower absenteeism than non-participants.

Another overlooked factor is the physical learning environment. Thoughtful design can provide students with comfort and a sense of control over their environment. A well-designed classroom can boost student performance by up to 16%.

My company recently hosted our second annual competition where teachers submit designs for their dream classrooms, and the winners receive furniture to bring their visions to life. One winner, a sixth-grade teacher, designed a classroom with different zones that allowed her students to choose where to work based on their communication style or learning preference. We surveyed the students before and after the classroom makeover. Before, half said they found it fun to study in the classroom. After, the figure was 92% — all thanks to a physical space that gave them different ways to learn.

Improving student mental health, closing learning gaps, and reducing absenteeism may seem like daunting challenges. While we can't solve these problems on our own, relatively small changes to our classrooms and curricula can have a major impact.

Emily McGinnis is the K-12 education market manager at KI, a global furniture manufacturer in Green Bay, Wis. She previously spent 21 years as a teacher and principal in Charlotte, N.C. This column originally appeared in the South Florida Sun Sentinel.