Establishes the "Attendance for Success Act" which focuses on student attendance in schools, with an emphasis on chronically absent students.
The implications of S3071 include the requirement for local education agencies (LEAs) to develop and report attendance improvement plans annually. Schools will need to identify the causes of chronic absenteeism and implement strategies to address these issues, which may involve collaboration with community organizations and health providers. By mandating that schools take meaningful steps to engage students and support at-risk youth, the bill seeks to improve overall academic performance and reduce disparities in educational outcomes for chronically absent students.
Bill S3071, known as the Attendance for Success Act, aims to address chronic absenteeism in schools by establishing comprehensive policies focused on improving student attendance. The bill introduces specific definitions for terms related to attendance and mandates the development of attendance improvement plans at various levels. These plans are designed to identify students who are excessively absent and to provide targeted supports to keep them engaged with their education. The act emphasizes a tiered approach to interventions, offering different levels of support based on the severity of a student's absenteeism.
Notable points of contention surrounding the bill include concerns regarding the enforcement of attendance policies and the potential for schools to penalize students for absences rather than providing support. Critics argue that stricter attendance policies without adequate support systems could disproportionately affect disadvantaged students who may face barriers to consistent school attendance, such as health issues or socioeconomic challenges. The bill aims to balance accountability with compassion, ensuring that schools focus on understanding and addressing the underlying causes of absenteeism, rather than simply penalizing students for missing school.