{"id":7357,"date":"2023-11-28T13:50:54","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T14:50:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/?p=7357"},"modified":"2023-11-28T14:58:12","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T14:58:12","slug":"rising-truancy-numbers-highlight-grave-concerns-for-policymakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/?p=7357","title":{"rendered":"Rising Truancy Numbers Highlight Grave Concerns for Policymakers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This post originally appeared at <a href=\"https:\/\/will-law.org\/rising-truancy-numbers-highlight-grave-concerns-for-policymakers\/\">https:\/\/will-law.org\/rising-truancy-numbers-highlight-grave-concerns-for-policymakers\/<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"et_pb_section et_pb_section_0 et_section_regular\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_row et_pb_row_0\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column et_pb_column_3_4 et_pb_column_0  et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_0  et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\">\n<h1><strong>Wisconsin kids are skipping class at an alarmingly high rate, here\u2019s how Wisconsin matches up with the rest of the country\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The News<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">: The Wisconsin Institute for Law &amp; Liberty released <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/will-law.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Absenteeism-Report-FINAL.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cTruancy Troubles: Chronic Absenteeism in the Badger State,\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0a new\u00a0report which investigates truancy trends in the Bader states. From several years of truancy data collected from school districts across the state, this study\u2019s findings show the number of kids missing school is on the rise in Wisconsin, doubling from 10% in 2012 to 20% today.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Quote<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">: WILL Research Director, Will Flanders, PhD, stated, \u201cSince the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has skyrocketed in Wisconsin and across the country. The lack of classroom attendance is setting the stage for economically and socially depressed communities to continue to struggle for generations to come. With our research, parents, schools, and policymakers can come together to change this trajectory and support Wisconsin students better.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why It Matters: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing trend across the nation of students being absent from school.\u202fWisconsin mirrors these national trends, and there are blind spots and areas for particular concern.\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">When a student misses significant amounts of school, the effect on their intellectual and social development can be dramatic\u2014including lower math scores, worse reading outcomes, and even harming their mental health. Wisconsin students deserve better.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Key Findings:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Chronic Absenteeism in Wisconsin has more than doubled since 2012.\u202f <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About 10% of students were chronically absent in 2012 compared to more than 20% today.\u202f\u202f<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Wisconsin is middle-of-the-pack when it comes to rates of chronic absenteeism.\u202f <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The state ranks 24th overall in the rate of chronic absenteeism.\u202f\u202fTop performing states included Texas, Iowa, Montana, and Virginia.<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Low-performing districts have some of the highest absenteeism rates.\u202f<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Beloit, Racine, and Milwaukee are among the districts with the lowest Forward Exam proficiency, but highest absenteeism.\u202f\u202f<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Some municipalities don\u2019t have local ordinances for truancy. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Of the fifty principal municipalities containing districts with the highest truancy rates, we found no local ordinance for truancy in 14 of them.\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Making schools safer is a key to increasing attendance. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">When students don\u2019t feel safe in school, they are less likely to attend.\u202f Replacing \u201cwoke\u201d discipline policies with policies that protect students and teachers is a key to fixing absenteeism.<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Additional Context:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> In August, Speaker Robin Vos announced a bi-partisan Speaker\u2019s Taskforce on Truancy. The task force was tasked with \u201cexamining the relationship between truancy and student academic success, evaluating the current practices to hold parents and schools accountable for student attendance, and increasing awareness and resources, ensuring every child has access to quality education and a promising future.\u201d The task force is chaired by Representative Amy Binsfeld (R-Sheboygan) and has met twice to date.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Our Call To Action: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some might argue that the power of schools and school districts to ensure students come to class is quite limited. Research shows more can be done to improve attendance rates.\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">School districts can educate parents on the importance of education. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Students who fall behind early in subjects like reading are often never able to catch back up. Therefore, a campaign focused on making parents aware of how critical early education is could prove beneficial.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Districts can increase student safety.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> A dangerous school may lead to higher rates of absenteeism. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Moving away from softer discipline policies and returning resource officers to schools where needed could improve not only safety but also attendance.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dig Deeper:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/will-law.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Absenteeism-Report-FINAL.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cTruancy Troubles: Chronic Absenteeism in the Badger State,\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> November 2023<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_4 et_pb_column_1  et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_team_member et_pb_team_member_0 clearfix  et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_team_member_image et-waypoint et_pb_animation_off\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"617\" height=\"980\" src=\"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/WILL_Flanders_Color_002_WEB_980x617_100ppi_Sharpened.jpg\" alt=\"Will Flanders, PHD\" class=\"wp-image-9280\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"et_pb_team_member_description\">\n<h4 class=\"et_pb_module_header\">Will Flanders, PHD<\/h4>\n<p class=\"et_pb_member_position\">Research Director<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Flanders@will-law.org<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_team_member et_pb_team_member_1 clearfix  et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_team_member_image et-waypoint et_pb_animation_off\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Lauren-Greuel-WILL-Photo.jpeg\" alt=\"Lauren\u202fGreuel\" class=\"wp-image-31439\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"et_pb_team_member_description\">\n<h4 class=\"et_pb_module_header\">Lauren\u202fGreuel<\/h4>\n<p class=\"et_pb_member_position\">Associate Counsel<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Lauren@will-law.org<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/will-law.org\/rising-truancy-numbers-highlight-grave-concerns-for-policymakers\/\">Rising Truancy Numbers Highlight Grave Concerns for Policymakers<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/will-law.org\">Wisconsin Institute for Law &amp; Liberty<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This post originally appeared at https:\/\/will-law.org\/rising-truancy-numbers-highlight-grave-concerns-for-policymakers\/ Wisconsin kids are skipping class at an alarmingly high&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-will"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7357"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7360,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7357\/revisions\/7360"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}