Reply to Roughly 25% of MCPS students are chronically absent, and absenteeism response plan delayed

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[quote=Anonymous]SOURCE: https://moco360.media/2023/06/13/nearly-25-of-mcps-students-considered-chronically-absent/

[QUOTE][b]Nearly a quarter of all Montgomery County Public School students are currently considered “chronically absent,[/b]” according to new data shared with MoCo360 this month. [b]A comprehensive action plan to address absenteeism was mentioned publicly in March and is expected to be released before the start of next school year[/b].

Student truancy continues to be a high concern for officials and parents alike as the school district grapples with post-pandemic learning loss and mental health exacerbations.

“Truancy is one of our biggest topics of conversation as teachers right now,” White Oak Middle School teacher Jess Porrovicchio said. On June 8, she said five students were missing from her classroom. “That’s 20% of my class, and I don’t know why they weren’t here.”

The new plan will “tighten up” school policy to ensure chronically absent students receive appropriate discipline, according to MCPS spokesperson Jessica Baxter. Current policy states in the event of an unexcused absence, the school counselor will meet with the student and their caregivers, verify the reason for the absence and “determine appropriate interventions.”

“Kids are smart. They’ll work the system. If they know they can skip class and still pass, and there’s no disincentive—I mean, it’s going to happen,” Porrovicchio said.

MCPS spokesperson Aisha Mbowe told MoCo360 in June that nearly 25% of all MCPS students are considered “chronically absent,” meaning they missed 10% or more of all enrolled school days in the year. The national average is around 33%, Mbowe said. She did not provide the state average./QUOTE]

I think it's abysmal that MCPS does not understand, at this stage, some of the root causes for this chronic absenteeism and that they haven't rolled out this absenteeism plan after it was announced in March.

This is why people are disgusted and fed up with MCPS. Slow to act, no action, and always behind the curve.[/quote]

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