The Biden-Harris administration has launched a new offensive against chronic absenteeism in schools, an issue that has skyrocketed since the pandemic. At the Every Day Counts Summit held at the White House, officials presented a multi-faceted plan to ensure kids hit the books instead of hitting the bricks. A recent brief, according to the White House, reveals a mixed bag of results – with some districts showing major improvements while others lag in combating student absences.
The U.S. had a chronic absenteeism rate of around 31% in the 2021-2022 school year, posing a dire educational crisis. Students missing over 10% of school are less likely to read at grade level or finish high school, as per The White House. The drive to get kids in class includes sharing tools for effective family communication and real-time reporting on student absences. Announced at the Summit, the state superintendents from Alabama and Indiana will showcase their methods for gathering and using absentee data.
Among the new initiatives revealed is a push toward strengthening the link between school attendance and success. In the fight against absenteeism, the Education Department's grant programs will funnel roughly $250 million into implementing and replicating solutions that boost student achievement. A focus on career-connected learning and addressing transportation issues complements the strategy, aiming to make school more relevant and accessible.
This renewed focus on attendance is not without backing on the ground. The Overdeck Family Foundation and the Ad Council Research Institute are teaming up to craft a messaging toolkit designed to coax parents into keeping their kids in class. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics plans to tap its 67,000 members to reinforce the importance of attendance in maintaining good health among students. "AAP will provide resources to parents with guidance for when to keep children home from school, tips for concerned parents on addressing school avoidance, and guidance on how best to prepare for the start of each school year," as noted by The White House.
In continuance of its commitment to educational reform, the Administration's 2025 Budget proposal earmarks $8 billion for grants aimed at closing achievement gaps and bolstering student attendance. The resources are just one portion of a broader strategy that includes leveraging pandemic relief funds up through the 2024-25 school year to support these critical educational improvements.
