MINNEAPOLIS — One in four students are chronically absent, according to state data from the most recent school year.
That is a slight improvement over the previous year , but still a problem policymakers want to fix.
The Student Attendance and Truancy Legislative Study Group met Monday to get feedback on some of its recommendations, which include recommending better data collection, more options for transportation of students to school and flexibility in existing funds—or a financial boost—to have school staff dedicated to truancy.
Kirk Schneidawind, executive director of the Minnesota School Boards Association, said the latter would allow districts to double down on their efforts. He noted the problem has been exacerbated by the pandemic and has been felt across the country.
“When you’re a principal or teacher, you have many different responsibilities during the day, and an additional piece around attendance is another responsibility.” said Schneidawind. “It would be great to have someone else to pick that up.”