Legislation to reduce chronic absenteeism in Washington schools unanimously passed the state Senate Tuesday and will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Sponsored by Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, Senate Bill 5850 would create a pilot program in nine educational service districts to develop training programs for educators that allow them to identify and assist chronically absent students. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss more than 10% of school days for any reason.
“Students who are struggling to perform academically at grade level are at risk of falling so far behind their class that they are at risk of not graduating with their peers, or even at all,” Braun said.
The bill would also establish a grant program for organizations and tribes to support chronically absent students.
“In spite of the many billions of dollars Washington invests in basic education for K-12, some students are slipping through the cracks as they deal with family issues, substance abuse disorder or mental health issues. We need to be more proactive and help them succeed by making sure they are in class more often,” Braun said.
