Bennington
New Measures in Vermont and Nearby States Address Chronic Student Absenteeism
This year, at least six states enacted laws trying to reduce the number of students chronically absent from school. The measures include requiring monitoring of absences and publicly releasing data, developing new guidance on the best ways to address the…
Key points
- Vermont has enacted new laws to reduce chronic student absenteeism.
- Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days.
- The new legislation includes fines for parents and improved monitoring of attendance.
NewsWK — Local residents in Bennington County and surrounding areas should take note of recent legislative efforts aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism among students. As education officials work to ensure that children attend school regularly, these new measures could significantly impact families across our communities.
New Legislation to Combat Absenteeism
This year, Vermont and at least five other states have enacted laws to tackle the issue of chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of school days in a year, which translates to about 18 days or two days each month. These measures range from enhanced monitoring of absences to increased penalties for parents of chronically absent students.
Specifics of Vermont’s New Law
In Vermont, the recent legislation revamps how chronic absenteeism and truancy are defined and addressed. While chronic absenteeism remains classified as missing 10% of school days, truancy is now categorized as having 20 or more unexcused absences within a school year. If a student is labeled truant and previous interventions fail, parents could face fines up to $1,000 or even court actions.
Additionally, by July 2027, the Vermont Agency of Education is tasked with creating a model policy on how to manage absenteeism, which will include guidance for excusing absences, addressing the needs of students with disabilities, and recognizing the effects of bullying on attendance.
Broader Regional Context
Other states have implemented similar strategies. For instance, a new law in Utah mandates the monitoring of student attendance and requires schools to identify at-risk students. In Tennessee, unexcused absences will now follow students who transfer schools, ensuring that their attendance records are maintained.
Mississippi’s recent legislation stipulates that the state must fund one attendance officer for every 4,000 school-aged children, while New Jersey has formed a task force dedicated to addressing chronic absenteeism through comprehensive recommendations.
Impact on Local Communities
As these measures unfold, local institutions, including Mount Anthony Union High School and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, may need to adapt their strategies and resources to support families in improving student attendance. The ongoing attention to chronic absenteeism is critical, especially as schools recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Community engagement and support will be vital to ensure students remain in the classroom and succeed academically.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, the national rate of chronic absenteeism has improved slightly, dropping from 31% in the 2021-22 school year to 28% in 2022-23. However, no state has fully returned to pre-pandemic attendance levels, and more efforts are necessary to bolster school attendance across the region.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Robbie Sequeira originally published by Stateline. Read the original story.
