Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) has stepped up with proposed legislation aimed at tackling the persistent issue of chronic absenteeism. Introducing the Keeping Our Students in School Act this week, the bill seeks to equip schools with the necessary resources to keep kids in class. Gallego reveres education as the gateway to the so-called American dream and surmises that without intervention, the state risks neglecting an entire generation.

Chronic absenteeism is marked by a student missing more than ten percent of school days by year's end. Arizona sees 28 percent of its students fall into this category, a striking increase from pre-pandemic figures, according to a statement by Rep. Gallego. The repercussions, Gallego suggests, extend far beyond missed classes to encompass higher dropout rates, overlooked early learning, and heightened risks of poverty, poor health, and legal system entanglements.

Gallego's legislation aims to establish a competitive grant program for local education agencies (LEAs) to finance strategies proven to curb absenteeism. The bill details various interventions, ranging from securing student transportation, executing home visits, and instilling mentorship initiatives, to investing in monitoring technology, appointing specialized support staff, and evaluating learning setbacks.

The Keeping Our Students in School Act surfaced after Gallego reached out to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona earlier in May. In his correspondence, the Arizona Representative emphasized the federal government's role in addressing chronic absenteeism, an issue manifesting across the educational landscape. The full text of the legislation is accessible, providing insight for those seeking more detailed information on the specific measures advocated for within.