Rhode Island Implements New Attendance Policy Ahead of Next School Year
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The Rhode Island Department of Education is rolling out a policy next school year that may hold students back a grade if they miss too many classes. This update to the Attendance Matters initiative emphasizes the importance of school attendance. Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green highlighted that students who are chronically absent—missing 18 or more days—struggle significantly, particularly in literacy and math.
Families of students meeting these criteria will receive notifications about potential retention. Infante-Green remarked, "If we promoted to the next grade, we’re setting them up for failure." Exceptions will be made for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
The push for better attendance addresses alarming statistics: chronically absent students score 20 percentage points lower than their peers and face nearly a 40% risk of not graduating high school. Even so, Rhode Island has seen a 10% decline in chronic absenteeism since the pandemic. Educators stress the need to identify underlying issues behind absenteeism to foster academic progress, showcasing the ongoing challenges within underfunded school systems. Families are encouraged to reach out for assistance regarding attendance issues.
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