White House announces new effort to fight chronic absenteeism in schools

Washington Post ^ | 10/7/15 | Emma Brown

[markomalley]

The Obama administration on Wednesday announced that it will begin publishing data on chronic absenteeism rates at schools nationwide, part of a campaign meant to highlight and address the problem of poor attendance.

A growing body of research has shown that children who miss more than 10 percent of the school year — about 18 days in most districts — are more likely to struggle academically and drop out. An estimated 5 million to 7.5 million children are chronically absent each year, but many school districts and reform strategies have failed to tackle the problem head on.

Now, the White House wants to help change that with the “Every Student, Every Day” campaign to help districts identify which children are missing school too often and figure out what kind of help those children need in order to get to class.

[DUMBGRUNT]

reduce the school year by 10%. Problem solved.

THen they get into trouble faster!

Going to year around, about 250 school days, would allow the slugs to miss 24-25 days, before crossing the magic 10% line.

Also gives them more time to learn and keeps them off the streets more often.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

What ever happened to Truant officers in schools?

[Trailerpark Badass]

I went to private schools. Skipping school was not an option, until I got my driver's license. Even then, I liked school, didn't really want to skip.

Pretty sure the kids Obastard is talking about would only serve to disrupt and distract the few kids who want to be there.

Kind of a pet peeve of mine; how the society wastes so much money on the losers, and shortchange the good kids.

[ronnie raygun]

Funny........they’re making more money on the streets in gangs selling drugs than what you have to offer. You help create the problem, subsidize the problem and encourage these animals who come form fatherless homes in poverty, you know your war on poverty going on 60 years old

[FewsOrange]

“poor attendance leads to poor performance
OR
poor performance leads to poor attendance?”

Or the factors that lead to poor attendance also lead to poor performance?

[maddog55]

My post was sarcasm.. actually I think school should be year round, 40 hours per week and the kids get 2 weeks vacation a year on their terms to match up with the ones that have real parents that go on vacation. Prepares them for life, keeps them off the streets and teachers actually work year round.