Bribing Children to Attend School

High rates of chronic absenteeism—defined as missing at least one out of every ten school days—have become a national issue.

California has been particularly hard hit. In Los Angeles, more than 45% of students were chronically absent in 2021-22. The percentage dropped to 36% in 2022-23, and while the preliminary rate for the 2023-24 school year shows improvement to 32.3%, it is still nearly double pre-pandemic levels. In Oakland, nearly 32% of students across the district were chronically absent during the 2023-24 school year.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2024 Kids Count Data Book has examined the factors behind the problem. Among other things, the organization reports that about 40% of children have “undergone an adverse childhood experience,” including family economic hardship, a child’s parents having been divorced, separated, served time in jail or died, witnessing domestic violence, living with someone who has a mental illness, etc.

While the cause of the absentee problem is understandable for students from unstable homes, what about all the other kids?

A new survey about Gen Zers’ school attitudes released by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation speaks volumes. When asked whether “my schoolwork challenges me in a good way,” under half of middle and high school students agreed, with only 14% agreeing strongly. […]

— Read More: amgreatness.com