Bill Text: NJ SR147 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges DOE and school districts to develop creative solutions to address chronic absenteeism.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-01-11 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR147 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SR147-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator STEPHEN M. SWEENEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Urges DOE and school districts to develop creative solutions to address chronic absenteeism.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the Department of Education to work with school districts to develop creative solutions to address chronic absenteeism.
Whereas, Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days in a school year, is a nationwide issue with lasting consequences for a child's academic future; and
Whereas, According to an Advocates for Children of New Jersey report released in September 2015, more than 125,0000 or approximately 10 percent of New Jersey students in grades K-12 were chronically absent during the 2013-2014 school year; and
Whereas, The problem is exacerbated in the State's 177 "high-absenteeism" districts, in which the average rate of chronic absenteeism in the 2013-2014 school year was 16 percent; and
Whereas, Chronic absenteeism is most prevalent at the beginning and end of students' formal education, with the highest percentages occurring in kindergarten and high school; and
Whereas, The long-term negative impacts of chronic absenteeism include reading difficulties, lower gains in math skills and general knowledge, lower test scores, poor attendance in future school years, and weaker social-emotional skills; and
Whereas, Chronic absenteeism affects not only the individual student but also the entire classroom, as teachers must utilize valuable instruction time to review lessons for students who missed school; and
Whereas, Students who continue a pattern of chronic absenteeism are at higher risk of eventually dropping out of school; and
Whereas, Students from low-income families and students of color are more likely to become chronically absent, and poor attendance is a contributing factor to the achievement gap of these student populations; and
Whereas, Effectively addressing the issue of chronic absenteeism requires an understanding of the underlying barriers to student attendance, which can include unstable housing, unreliable transportation, and health-related issues; and
Whereas, Creative school strategies, such as positive parent engagement and the implementation of preventive, supportive measures, have been shown to significantly improve student attendance and help reverse the problems caused by chronic absenteeism; and
Whereas, Recommendations for schools to reduce chronic absenteeism include: helping students and parents understand the importance of coming to school every day; identifying attendance problems as early as possible; notifying parents immediately when a pattern of absenteeism develops; creating positive reinforcements for excellent or improved attendance; providing mentors for at-risk students; and fostering positive relationships between schools and families; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, the Paterson and Woodbine School Districts are exemplary success stories of how implementing best practices to combat poor student attendance can dramatically reduce the number of chronically absent children; and
Whereas, In Paterson's School 5, an elementary school with more than 95 percent of its students considered economically disadvantaged, chronic absenteeism decreased by 76 percent in just one year after implementing successful practices that included mentors for at-risk students, a community walk-to-school program, and rewards for improved attendance; and
Whereas, In Woodbine Elementary, there were only three chronically absent children in the 2013-2014 school year following the implementation of best practices, which included repeatedly highlighting the importance of coming to school, issuing special certificates for improved attendance, and reaching out to parents at the first sign of an attendance problem; and
Whereas, By utilizing these examples and other proven best practices, the Department of Education and school districts can work collaboratively to develop creative solutions to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase the chances of academic success for our State's children; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the Department of Education and local school districts to work collaboratively to develop and implement creative solutions to address the issue of chronic absenteeism in New Jersey's public schools.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioner of Education and to the State Board of Education to be distributed to each board of education in the State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Department of Education and local school districts to work collaboratively to develop and implement creative solutions to address the issue of chronic absenteeism in New Jersey's public schools. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days in a school year, is a nationwide problem that impacts a child's chances of long-term academic success. A report issued by Advocates for Children of New Jersey in September 2015 reveals that more than 125,0000 or approximately 10 percent of New Jersey students in grades K-12 were chronically absent during the 2013-2014 school year. The long-term negative impacts of chronic absenteeism include reading difficulties, lower gains in math skills and general knowledge, lower test scores, poor attendance in future school years, and weaker social-emotional skills. In addition, students with a continued pattern of chronic absenteeism are at higher risk of eventually dropping out of school.
In order to effectively address the issue of chronic absenteeism, an understanding of the underlying barriers to student attendance, which may include unstable housing, unreliable transportation, and health-related issues, is necessary. Creative school strategies, such as positive parent engagement and the implementation of preventive, supportive measures, have been shown to significantly improve student attendance and help reverse the problems caused by chronic absenteeism. The Paterson and Woodbine School Districts in New Jersey are exemplary success stories of how implementing best practices to combat poor student attendance can dramatically reduce the number of chronically absent children. By utilizing these examples and other proven strategies, the Department of Education and school districts can work collaboratively to develop creative solutions to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase the chances of academic success for the State's children.
