Children’s schooling can be interrupted by a range of factors and as a result extended periods of school may be missed. These factors include medical illness, natural disasters, behavioural and emotional problems, legal or criminal issues, parental, environmental, and or school changes.

This special issue in the Continuity in Education, led by the International Network for School Attendance (INSA) with managing editors Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, PhD | Gil Keppens, PhD | Glenn Melvin, PhD spotlights the importance of Continuing school during and after prolonged absenteeism. The International Network for School Attendance (INSA) in collaboration with Continuity in Education sent an international call for papers to meet its mission to promote school attendance and respond to school attendance problems. This special section focuses on activities or studies which examine how and what can be done to support students to continue their schooling and development while or after facing varied difficulties or disruptions.