43% of DC students considered chronically absent last year - DC News Now
“DC has some of the highest chronic absenteeism rates in the country. And while chronic absenteeism has decreased, it’s still unacceptably high,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of Education Reform Now DC.
Giles said this loss of learning can have severe impacts on students in the long term.
“When students attend school consistently, they’re more likely to perform on grade level, they’re more likely to graduate, get and hold great jobs. So, this has a direct connection to our student’s future,” she said.
OSSE said reducing chronic absenteeism is a top priority. The agency is taking several steps to address the issue, including, “expanding trainings and supports provided to schools on how to design and implement systems that promote mental health and wellness for students and staff,” the agency said in an email.
Giles said other measures, including “nudge notifications” can be effective.
“Letting families know that your child has this number of days so students can make sure they’re coming to school consistently,” she explained.
She also said strengthening safe passages, making sure there is a clinician in every school and home visits are equally important.
