Children can’t learn unless they are in school.
While that may seem clear to some, there are parents and guardians in both our city and county that aren’t making their kids go to school. Or in this age of COVID-19 are not making them keep up with virtual learning
It’s only September and we have already had superintendents in news stories in your Clarksdale Press Register say absenteeism is a problem. And the problem we are addressing today is not a missed day here or there, but chronic absenteeism that affects a child’s grades and future.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the academic year (180 days) for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences.
Both Clarksdale and Coahoma county schools have a problem with chronic absenteeism and we feel that may be a contributor to recent failing grades by both districts.
And it is a statewide problem, too. The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) show that 14.2 percent of Mississippi students were absent 10 percent or more of the time.
So let’s look at the problem.
Many single moms are up and off to work before their children get up for school. Older kids might just think they can take the day off. Mom may not know the difference.
Getting that student back in the classroom might just be the difference in a high school diploma and a drop-out.
One of the statistics that astounds us most is many parents allow their younger children to just stay home. Some parents and guardians just seem to find it easier to sleep late and think their elementary school student can pick it up the next day.
Your Clarksdale Press Register has repeatedly run stories that say truancy is a crime and parents and guardians can be fined if they don’t make sure their child goes to school.
We urge law enforcement to pick up kids who are not in school on school days. We urge our truant officers to charge those parents and guardians of chronically absent students. And we urge parents to reach out to schools and local agencies that can help them be a better parent and deal with virtual learning.
Children can’t learn if they aren’t in school.
