Comparative review of action protocols to combat the school attendance problems in Italy, Spain, and Türkiye

School attendance problems encompass any behavior reflecting a refusal to attend school. Despite international legal recognition of school absenteeism, there’s a lack of comprehensive comparative studies on addressing this issue globally. This study aims to provide such a review, focusing on action protocols for combating school absenteeism in Spain, Italy, and Türkiye. For this purpose, 44 action protocols were analysed, sourced from education websites of the respective countries. Findings indicate variations in the terms and definitions used to classify different types of absenteeism across countries, as well as disparities in design dates. However, most protocols prioritize full attendance and interdisciplinary prevention and control of absenteeism. Strengths and weaknesses in protocols are identified, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts in designing adaptable action plans.