Texas schools seek state support to tackle rising absenteeism rates
Texas schools are facing high absenteeism rates, with about one in five students chronically absent during the 2022-23 school year. This is nearly double the rate from 2018-19, prompting school leaders to seek state assistance to address the issue. Efforts to combat absenteeism include partnerships with nonprofits and community organizations. Some districts have implemented targeted strategies, such as requiring attendance for participation in extracurricular activities and coordinating with local businesses to track absent students. A new bill introduced in the Texas legislature aims to classify chronically absent students as "at risk of dropping out." This legislation seeks to increase awareness and support for affected students, building on previous unsuccessful attempts to address the issue.