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Proposed bill would require Baltimore City schools to report on student absenteeism

New bill seeks to find cause of student absenteeism in Baltimore City schools
New bill seeks to find cause of student absenteeism in Baltimore City schools 00:32

BALTIMORE -- A bill proposed Monday would require Baltimore City schools to analyze attendance data from the 2023-24 school year in an effort to address student absenteeism.

Absenteeism has been a growing issue since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced many students to remote learning. Many students found it difficult to return to in-person learning after restrictions were lifted. 

According to a January 2024 report from the Maryland Department of Education, attendance rates dropped about 3% since 2016 and chronic absenteeism increased by more than 10%. 

The report shows Baltimore City schools had the highest rate of chronic absenteeism in the state at 54% for the 2023 school year. Howard County saw the lowest numbers with 18%. 

Council President Zeke Cohen said city schools have identified growth so far. Baltimore City Public Schools said the 2023-2024 school year chronic absence rate sat at 48%. Cohen said after quarter one this year, it's dropped to 34%.

"We want to ensure that every single child that graduates from a Baltimore city public school has access to either a career or college opportunity but that can't happen if our young people are missing extended periods of school," Cohen said.

During a city council meeting on Monday, the Study and Report – Absences in Baltimore City Schools bill was introduced. 

The bill would require the city's public school system to prepare a report that explores the causes of student absenteeism in an effort to find solutions to barriers that students may be facing. 

The report would analyze data from the 2023-24 school year, including the economic class of students, transportation availability and parental involvement.

"Addressing absenteeism is not just about keeping our students in school," said Councilman Mark Conway, who introduced the bill. "It's about investing in their potential and by extension, the future of Baltimore." 

The bill would also require the school district to collaborate with city agencies in proposing recommendations to address the causes of absenteeism found in the report. 

"This initiative will help us to remove some of the obstacles that hinder the educational journey," Conway said. "The collaborative effort with various city agencies ensures a holistic approach recognizing issues that economic hardship, transportation and family dynamics play in the vital role of student attendance."

The bill will be reviewed by The Education, Youth, and Older Adults Committee. 

Baltimore City Public Schools said in a statement that it is ready to contribute further as the city council considers this bill.

"City Schools and City leaders share the same understanding - students that attend school daily have a better chance for success in the classroom and in life," the district said. "We have shared data and insight on our efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism."   

Efforts to address absenteeism 

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott initiated a friendly competition between schools in an effort to address absenteeism at the beginning of the 2024 school year. 

The "Mayor's Attendance Challenge" encourages students to be on time every day. The ongoing initiative recognizes schools that make the most progress in improving attendance. 

"Consistent attendance is one of the most significant markers of a student's achievement, connection in school, and success in future grades or their future outside of school," Mayor Scott said. "The COVID-19 pandemic had such a deep impact on kids of all ages, and we're continuing to overcome the obstacles that it placed on students across the city." 

In September 2024, the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) showed that Baltimore County saw the greatest improvement in reducing chronic absenteeism. 

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