Many school absences labeled 'unexcused' are for reasons not in the student's or family's control — yet they can have serious consequences for students. We can do better.
While districts have seen some improvement from last year on reducing chronic absenteeism, the rates are still much higher than before the pandemic.
Schools can make a dent in chronic absenteeism rates if they go about it the right way.
Alarming chronic absence rates are included with student data from 2021-22 accompanying a revived California School Dashboard.
This week we hear from an attendance counselor who tracks down missing students and tries to get them back to class.
Test scores will fall, chronic absences will rise, school funding will soar, with arguments over how to spend it. Bet your Fensters on that.
