Rhode Island House Bill H7290

Rhode Island 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/24
• Refer: 1/26/24

Caption

Directs each local education agency adopt a program to monitor absenteeism data to identify students who are at risk for chronic absenteeism before it becomes a chronic situation.

Impact

This bill significantly alters the framework governing school attendance in the state by compelling educational institutions to adopt a proactive approach to student absenteeism. By requiring local education agencies to monitor and address absenteeism, it fosters a more supportive educational environment aimed at improving student participation and academic performance. There will be a focus on creating intervention plans targeted at reducing absenteeism, incorporating data analysis to track progress and measure efficacy over time. The bill is expected to lead to systematic changes in how schools engage with students and families regarding attendance.

Summary

House Bill H7290 aims to address the critical issue of chronic absenteeism in schools across Rhode Island by mandating that local education agencies implement programs to monitor absenteeism data. The legislation focuses on identifying students at risk of chronic absenteeism before the situation escalates, establishing attendance support teams, which will assist in devising personalized strategies to improve attendance and reduce absenteeism rates within school districts. The bill emphasizes the importance of tailored intervention methods that respond to specific community and student needs.

Contention

While the bill has broad intentions of improving educational outcomes by tackling absenteeism, it might encounter some contention regarding its implementation and operational demands. Concerns may arise around the adequacy of resources for local school districts to support the creation and maintenance of attendance support teams, alongside potential resistance from institutions wary of mandated oversight. Additionally, there is the underlying question of how effectively such programs can reduce absenteeism rates without devolving into punitive measures rather than supportive ones.