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Germany

Germany

This page is brought to you by your hosts:

Volker Reissner

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Chiara Enderle

Chiara is a researcher in special education at Europa-Universität Flensburg and a PhD student at Leipzig University in Germany. Her research explores the building blocks of school attendance and well-being from youth and professional perspectives, aiming to advance and develop school-based prevention models. Chiara collaborates closely with colleagues across Germany and engages in international networks on comparative and inclusive education.

Information in the menus below was updated in November 2025. To contribute information that may be of interest to others in your country, please contact your country’s hosts: Volker Reissner (volker.reissner@uni-due.de) and Chiara Enderle (chiara.enderle@uni-flensburg.de). 

Not for profit

  • Outpatient clinic for children and adolescents with school-avoiding behavior, LVR-Klinikum Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen at the LVR-Clinic
  • Inpatient and outpatient treatment for youth with school absenteeism and mental disorders,  University Hospital Cologne.
  • The Interdisciplinary Research Group on School Absenteeism and Dropout was founded by leading educational scientists specialised in special needs education in Germany. The group includes scientists and experts from educational sciences, youth services, psychiatry, psychology, and counselling. The aims of the research group are to: (1) increase knowledge with regard to diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of school absenteeism; (2) develop educational quality standards for practical use; and (3) exchange knowledge and foster a multiprofessional perspective on school absenteeism/dropout. The research group is organised and chaired by Prof. Dr. Gisela C. Schulze, University of Oldenburg (gisela.c.schulze@uni-oldenburg.de) and Prof. Dr. Heinrich Ricking, Leipzig University (heinrich.ricking@uni-leipzig.de). The group’s latest annual meetings have taken place in Hamburg (2023), Leipzig (2024), and Stockholm (2025). The upcoming 2026 meeting will be hosted in Flensburg, Germany.
  • 2025 - ongoing: "INSSIGHT" is a project that seeks to identify school-based stressors and the role of basic psychological needs in the context of school attendance. In cooperation with Tiffany Westphal (School Can’t Australia, studentstressinvestigation@gmail.com), the project adapts and uses the ©Student Stress Investigation (SSI) to systematically assess stressors in the school environment from the student's perspective. The project contributes to advancing the understanding of school attendance challenges and promoting students’ well-being in educational contexts, particularly among students with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. Prof. Dr. Tatjana Leidig, Dr. Viktoria Pöchmüller and Chiara Enderle are the principal investigators of the study. The project is financed by the ZeBUSS fund at Europa-Universität Flensburg. Contact: chiara.enderle@uni-flensburg.de
  • 2024 - ongoing: The research project SANSCHO "Schulbesuch und Schulabbruch in Schleswig-Holstein" (School Attendance and Dropout in Schleswig-Holstein) is conducted from 2024 to 2027, led by Prof. Heinrich Ricking (Leipzig University) and Prof. Marie-Christine Vierbuchen (Europa-Universität Flensburg). The project aims to comprehensively and systematically investigate school attendance in Schleswig-Holstein, to analyse the expectations and perspectives of key stakeholders, and to develop best-practice models that generate evidence-based insights for the effective prevention of school absenteeism. The study includes quantitative surveys and qualitative interview studies of relevant stakeholders, case analyses, and accompanying implementation research in selected schools. The project is funded by the Ministry of General and Vocational Training, Science, Research and Culture of Schleswig-Holstein. Contact: heinrich.ricking@uni-leipzig.de, marie-christine.vierbuchen@uni-flensburg.de
  • 2021 – ongoing: “Bildung integriert (Präventionsketten)” is the title of the program which seeks to coordinate current activities to prevent school absenteeism and to initiate several related projects in the city of Düsseldorf, Germany. Defining guidelines on handling school absenteeism, methodical assessment of absences or the initiation of school attendance teams represent some of the major aims of the program. Contact: Ina Holschbach & Milena Pape.
  • 2021 – ongoing: Prevention, identification and intervention of school absenteeism are key elements for tackling school absenteeism. The promotion of school attendance by establishing a team of trained counsellors (teachers, social workers etc.) on location is the main goal of the project “On the frontline”. The project is currently developed by an international consortium: David Heyne (Leiden University, NL), Trude Havik (Laeringsmilijosenteret, UiS, N) Jo Mange Ingul Norwegian university of science and technology, N) and Volker Reissner (University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-Clinic Düsseldorf). In Germany “On the frontline” will be deployed in cooperation with the administration of the city of Düsseldorf. Contact for Germany: Volker Reissner.
  • 2019 – 2022: The project "Every school day counts“ is implemented in three 'less favoured urban districts' of the city of Hamburg, Germany. It aims to increase the students´ participation at school, reducing school absenteeism, and preventing school dropout. Depending on needs, each school will be supported in developing an individual programme integrating sustainable interventions such as educating members of school staff and/or other measures. This will promote the fit between school schemes and the students´ needs in order to improve their school engagement and educational attainment. The innovative project is scientifically supervised by Prof. Dr. Heinrich Ricking. The project is financed and implemented by the Joachim Herz foundation, the Alfred Toepfer foundation F.V.S., the Hamburg School Authorities, and the Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg. Contact Prof. Dr. Heinrich Ricking.
  • 2019 - 2020: The EU-funded study ‘Back To School’ (“Terug naar school – Zurück zur Schule”) is a study assessing the prevalence of school absenteeism in children and adolescents receiving treatment for mental disorders. Currently the data is being analysed. The study is conducted by a Euregio Rhein-Waal consortium of four mental health providers for children and adolescents: Karakter (Child- and Adolescent psychiatry of the University of Nijmegen, Netherlands), GGnet (Mental health service provider in Nijmegen, Netherlands), LVR-Clinic Viersen (Department for child- and adolescent psychiatry, Germany), and LVR-Clinic / University Clinic Essen (Department for child- and adolescent psychiatry, Germany).
  • 2018 - 2019: Evaluation of the Inventory of School Attendance Problems (ISAP). This 48-item questionnaire assesses a broad spectrum of school attendance problems. The ISAP is currently available in German, but it is currently being translated into Swedish and Finnish. Contact Martin Knollmann at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LVR-Klinikum Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen at the LVR-Clinic, Essen.
  • 2019 February: The German version of the School Non-Attendance Checklist (SNACK) has been prepared. This checklist supports screening for types of absenteeism, including school refusal, truancy, school withdrawal, and school exclusion. Contact Martin Knollmann or Volker Reissner at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LVR-Klinikum Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen at the LVR-Clinic, Essen.
  • 2018 September: ‘School Refusal From an International Perspective’, an international symposium on school absenteeism. Organized by the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LVR-Klinikum Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen at the LVR-Clinic, Essen. Contact: Volker Reissner (volker.reissner@uni-due.de).
  • 2018 June: ‘Prevent school absenteeism! Strategies and concepts’ (Schulabsentismus verhindern! Strategien und Konzepte). An expert conference on school absenteeism organized by the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Evangelische Jugendsozialarbeit e.V., Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Katholische Jugendsozialarbeit e.V., Deutsches Rotes Kreuz and PARITÄTISCHEM Gesamtverband.
  • 2016: ‘School Absenteeism as a Challenge in Europe: Approaches and Perspectives’ (Schulabsentismus als europaweite Herausforderung: Herangehensweisen und Perspektiven‘). An expert conference on school absenteeism organized by the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Evangelische Jugendsozialarbeit e.V., Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Katholische Jugendsozialarbeit e.V., Deutsches Rotes Kreuz and PARITÄTISCHEM Gesamtverband.
  • 2015: Development and evaluation of a modular treatment for children and adolescents with problematic school absenteeism. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LVR-Klinikum Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen at the LVR-Clinic, Essen. Contact: Volker Reissner (volker.reissner@uni-due.de).
  • Schule Zählt e.V. Registered society for the prevention of school absenteeism and school dropout. Members come from educational practice, science from the therapeutic field and educational institutions. First chairman: Prof. Dr. Manfred Wittrock, second chairman: Apl. Prof. Dr. Heinrich Ricking. 
  • Information on school absenteeism as offered by different German states ‘Bundesländer’. Because the 16 German states are each responsible for education, information on school absenteeism and guidelines about how to handle this problem may vary. Please find some examples below:
  • In Germany different cities and districts may have different guidelines for the handling of problematic school absenteeism. Please find different examples below. If your city/district is interested in being included in this list please contact Volker Reissner: volker.reissner@uni-due.de.
  • The German Youth Institute ('Deutsches Jugendinstitut, DJI'). The web page of the DJI includes information on school absenteeism and related topics.
  • German-language literature:
    • Ricking, H. (2023). Schulabsentismus pädagogisch verstehen. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.
    • Ricking, H. (2024). Schulabsentismus – Teil 1: Risikolagen von Kindern und Jugendlichen. Teil 2: Schulische Handlungsoptionen. Magdeburg: Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung.
    • Enderle, C. (2025). Subjektive Sichtweisen von Jugendlichen mit Verhaltensschwierigkeiten: Was sind unterstützende Faktoren bei der Bewältigung von Schulbesuchsproblemen? ESE Emotionale und Soziale Entwicklung in der Pädagogik der Erziehungshilfe und bei Verhaltensstörungen, 7, 16–36. https://doi.org/10.35468/6178-02
    • Feldhaus, M., Rau, M., Ricking, H., & Sälzer, C. (2025). Schulabsentismus aus einer humanökologischen Perspektive – aktuelle Analysen mit PISA 2022. Zeitschrift für Erziehungswissenschaft https://doi.org/10.1007/s11618-025-01292-5
    • Ricking, H. & Albers, V. (2025). Schulabsentismus – Intervention und Prävention. überarbeitete Aufl. Heidelberg: Auer.
    • Speck, K. & Ricking, H. (2025) (Hrsg.). Multiprofessionelle Kooperation und Schulabsentismus. Wiesbaden: Springer VS.
    • Fischer, A., Dunkake, I. & Ricking, H. (2022). Ergebnisse einer quantitativen Untersuchung an Schulen zu Risikofaktoren bei Schulangst. Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, 447-458.
    • Ricking, H. (2022). Soziale Deprivation, schulische Fehlpassung, Dropout: Schule zwischen Punitivität und dem pädagogisch Notwendigen. Vierteljahresschrift für Heilpädagogik und ihre Nachbargebiete, 4, 289-299.
    • Ricking, H. (2023). Schulische Strategien, Verfahren und Maßnahmen gegen Schulabsentismus. Lernende Schule, 101, 14-17.
    • Ricking, H. (2023). Wissenschaftlich-praktische Perspektiven auf Schulabsentismus und schulische wie kommunale Handlungsmöglichkeiten. Themendossier Gemeinsam gegen Schulabsentismus – Kommunale Herausforderungen, Strategien und Chancen. Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung, 6-9.
    • Sälzer, C., Feldhaus, M. & Ricking, H. (2024). Schulabsentismus als gemeinschaftliche Aufgabe. Jugendhilfe, 62, 1, 23-28.
    • Stöhr, W., Ricking, H., Schulze, G., Tsujino, K. & Fukawa, A. (2024). Schulabsentismus - Perspektiven aus Japan und Deutschland. Zeitschrift für Heilpädagogik, 8, 371-374.
    • Ricking, H. & Feldhaus, M. (2024). Schwänzen, vermeiden, dropout – Formen und Entwicklungen von Schulabsentismus. Schulmagazin 5-10, 9/10, 8-13.
    • Ricking, H. & Bolz, (2024). Schulbesuch und schulische Beziehungskultur. Psychotherapie im Dialog, 25, 03, 69-73. doi.org: 10.1055/a-2192-0926
    • Ricking, H. (2025). Schulische Handlungsoptionen bei Schulbesuchsproblemen und Schulabbruch. Österreichische Pädagogische Zeitschrift Erziehung und Unterricht, 175, 1-2, 68-76.
    • Ricking, H. (2025). Sanktionen oder Unterstützung? PÄDAGOGIK, 3, 10-13.
    • Ricking, H. & Wirths, H. (2025). Mit Präsenz-Teams für Schulanwesenheit und Bildungsteilhabe. Jugendhilfe, 2, 155-162.
    • Broschinski, S., Feldhaus, M., Sälzer, C. & Ricking, H. (2025). Forschungsnotiz zu PISA 2012-2022: Die Bedeutung des familialen Hintergrunds für die Entstehung von Schulabsentismus nimmt zu. Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie. doi.org/10.1007/s11577-025-01008-x.
    • Vierbuchen, M. & Ricking, H. (2025). Was Schulen über Schulabsentismus wissen sollten. Schule aktuell – Das Magazin, 07, 7-8.
    • Ricking, H. (2025). Schulen finden Antworten auf Schulabsentismus. Praxis Schulpsychologie (in Druck).
    • Sälzer, C., Ricking, H. & Feldhaus, M. (2024). Addressing School Absenteeism Through Monitoring: The Need for Evidence-Based Educational Policies and Practices. Education Sciences, 14. org/10.3390/educsci14121365.
    • Hagen, T. & Ricking, H. (2023). Schulabsentismus (als Ursache von Lernschwierigkeiten). In: M. Börnert-Ringleb, G. Casale, M. Balt & M. Herzog (Hrsg.). Lern- und Verhaltensschwierigkeiten in der Schule - Erscheinungsformen, Erklärungsmodelle und Implikationen für die Praxis (S. 144-154). Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.
    • Ricking, H. & Enderle, C. (2024). Neue Erkenntnisse der Forschung zu Schulbesuchsproblemen und Ableitungen für die pädagogische Praxis. In M. Andrae & K. Pittius (Hrsg.). Problemfeld Schulabsentismus (S. 13-24). Berlin: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
    • Ricking, H. (2025). Multiprofessionelle Kooperation bei Schulabsentismus aus sonderpädagogischer Perspektive. In: K. Speck & H. Ricking (Hrsg.). Multiprofessionelle Kooperation und Schulabsentismus (S. 137-152). Wiesbaden: Springer.
    • Speck, K. & Ricking, H. (2025). Einführung. In: K. Speck & H. Ricking (Hrsg.). Multiprofessionelle Kooperation und Schulabsentismus (S. 3-11). Wiesbaden: Springer.
    • Ricking, H. (2025). Schulschwänzen als Widerstand? In M. Busch (Hrsg.). Demokratiepädagogik (in Druck).
    • Ricking, H. (2025). Schulabsentismus. In: R. Markowetz, T. Hennemann, D. Hövel & G. Casale (Hrsg.). Handbuch des Förderschwerpunktes Emotionale und soziale Entwicklung. Weinheim: Beltz (in Druck).
    • Enderle, C., Kreitz-Sandberg, S., Backlund, Å., Isaksson, J., Fredriksson, U., & Ricking, H. (2024). Secondary School Students’ Perspectives on Supports for Overcoming School Attendance Problems -A Qualitative Case Study in Germany. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1405395
    • Enderle, C., Ricking, H., & Schulze, G. C. (2023). School Absenteeism in Germany: A Shift from Punishment to Support? European Education, 55(3–4), 148–171. https://doi.org/10.1080/10564934.2023.2257195
    • Sasso, I., & Sansour, T. (2023). Schulabsentismus bei Kindern und Jugendlichen im Autismus Spektrum. Was sind Auslöser und Ursachen von Schulverweigerung, Schulangst, Schulausschlüssen und ähnlichem bei Kindern und Jugendlichen im Autismus Spektrum? Erste exemplarische Ergebnisse eines Forschungsprojektes. autismus Deutschland e.V.