In April, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future will reach its ninth year of implementation, aiming to transform education in the state. While the reform plan includes initiatives like pre-K funding and attracting high-quality teachers, chronic absenteeism among students has been overlooked. Baltimore City had the highest rate of chronic absenteeism at 54% in the 2022-2023 school year, highlighting a statewide problem. Despite efforts to address absenteeism, lawmakers and education experts feel it has not been given enough attention.
The Kirwan Commission, responsible for studying statewide education reform, has done little to address absenteeism in its reports. Lawmakers like Sen. Jill Carter have raised concerns about the lack of action on this critical issue. Carter proposed a resolution to create a unit within the education department dedicated to addressing truancy, but it did not pass.
While the Blueprint includes funding that can be used to combat chronic absenteeism, questions remain about how to effectively tackle the issue. Local school districts are encouraged to use Blueprint funds to address absenteeism, with a goal to reduce chronic absenteeism to 15% by 2025-2026. Some lawmakers believe that addressing absenteeism should be handled at the local level, while others advocate for a statewide solution.
Efforts to address absenteeism include increased outreach to families, school-based health centers, and adjusting school start times. However, funding remains a significant challenge, especially in light of an impending state deficit. Despite budget constraints, advocates like Ellie Mitchell believe that additional funding is needed to support the Blueprint’s strategies and address ongoing challenges in public schools. As discussions continue on the affordability of the Blueprint, lawmakers face tough decisions on how to best address chronic absenteeism and improve educational outcomes for Maryland students.
Source
Photo credit www.baltimoresun.com