Indiana Has a School Attendance Problem. Hundreds Gathered to Find a Solution

Source: wfyi Indianapolis | Repost Fight for Life Foundation 5/20/2024 –

The number of students who are chronically absent from Indiana schools surged during the pandemic and remains stubbornly high. But while the severity of attendance problems has become clear, many schools and communities are struggling to improve attendance.

That was the challenge at the center of a conference on school attendance in Indianapolis this week. The gathering drew hundreds of attendees from across Indiana. It included people from the schools, courts, prosecutors offices and the state child welfare system.

About one in five Indiana students missed so much school last academic year they were considered chronically absent. Many Indiana schools and communities rely on punitive approaches to encourage attendance — such as disciplining students or referring them to the court system. Speakers at the conference, however, emphasized the importance of supporting families by trying to figure out why students are missing school and providing resources.

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