Make parents pay for kids who miss school to curb chronic school absenteeism | New York Post
Chronic absenteeism among students, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to plague educational systems nationwide. In New York City alone, four in 10 students were chronically absent during the last full school year, far above the national average of 22%. This persistent issue fails to address the learning loss resulting from school closures and disproportionately affects low-income students, setting back educational progress by decades, according to national assessments.
To combat this problem, New York City has implemented various strategies, including offering financial incentives to families and deploying attendance teachers to work with parents and schools. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, as chronic absenteeism persists despite previous initiatives such as Mayor Bloomberg’s Truancy Reduction and Public Safety Center.
One approach that has shown promise is the concept of “learnfare,” which docked payments to households receiving public assistance when their children were chronically absent from school. Initially implemented in Wisconsin and currently in Massachusetts, this strategy has been associated with increased school enrollment and attendance among at-risk students.
While chronic absenteeism is not limited to low-income households, it disproportionately affects marginalized communities, with Hispanic and Black students experiencing higher rates of absenteeism. Addressing this issue is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring equal access to education, as school attendance is a fundamental step toward academic success and economic mobility.
In confronting the challenge of chronic absenteeism, we must recognize that ensuring school attendance is not solely the responsibility of schools or government agencies but also requires parental accountability. By implementing targeted interventions like “learnfare” and promoting the importance of education within families, we can work towards building a more equitable and prosperous society………..
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Rising Dough
How might implementing strategies like “learnfare” impact the economic landscape by addressing chronic absenteeism in schools, particularly in districts with high poverty rates?
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While learnfare has the potential to improve school attendance and drive economic benefits, its implementation must be designed to avoid unintended consequences. Comprehensive strategies that address the underlying causes of absenteeism, provide supportive services, and foster an inclusive approach to education may be more effective in achieving the desired outcomes