Expand efforts to keep Minnesota students in school

For some children, missing school means an ongoing struggle with the effects of COVID-related school closures; for others, it may be mental health or substance abuse issues. Transportation can also be an issue for some families, and in other cases, stressed-out parents approve of older children staying home to care for younger siblings.

Some of the efforts to get kids back into the classroom involve building closer ties with others and establishing better relationships. One such program is the Check and Connect strategy, which connects students with adult mentors. Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Cory McIntyre told the Minnesota Star Tribune that about 70% of students who participated in that program improved their attendance.

“This is still a challenge and something we still need to improve on,” McIntyre said. “We’re very hopeful (that attendance will improve) if we can really step up our efforts and try to get as many students as possible to participate.”

Some districts are hiring social workers or designated staff to communicate with missing students. That personal contact is important. In addition, about a dozen school districts across Minnesota are meeting monthly as part of a pilot program to share ideas on how to increase attendance. The Legislature has also created a task force to remain focused on the issue.

Minnesota is not alone in the battle against chronic student absenteeism, which is occurring nationwide. According to data compiled by the Associated Press and Stanford University educational economist Thomas Dee, about 25% of students — about 12 million children — were chronically absent during the 2022-2023 school year in 42 states and Washington, D.C.

Some schools have gotten creative to get kids back to school. For example, one high school in Fresno, California, purchased a washer and dryer for families and an extra school vehicle. Why? Two of the reasons kids routinely gave officials for missing school were dirty laundry and limited transportation. In Oakland, district leaders went a step further, using private grant funds to pay students a small weekly stipend for perfect attendance.