It’s a simple fact, kids don’t learn if they are not in school.
Local school districts and the Mississippi Department of Education are reminding parents and guardians that it is important to get your child to school and there are resources to help parents deal with chronic absenteeism. Students who are truant can see their parents or guardian fined.
In recognition of September as Attendance Awareness Month, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is sharing information to promote school attendance and reduce absenteeism.
MDE’s Every School Day Counts - Attend to Achieve campaign highlights the benefits of regular school attendance and emphasizes ways to prevent students from being chronically absent. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year, which translates to 18 days in a total year or an average of two days a month, excused or unexcused.
Coahoma County’s school attendance officer is Shelia Ransom and she serves all schools in Coahoma County. Often known as a Truant Officer, Ransom works with schools, parents and law enforcement to enforce truancy laws. Parents and guardians can be fined if a student is absent more than 18 days.
Students found on the streets during regular school hours without a valid excuse can be detained by police until their parent or guardian comes to get them.
In the latest data collected for 2021-22 by MDE, Clarksdale had the state's fourth worst chronic absenteeism rate by 51.97 percent, North Panola followed in fifth at 50.55 percent and South Panola was 10th at 45.13 percent.
Jonestown Elementary School has one of the best rates in the state at below five percent chronic absenteeism and was ranked the 13th best in the state.
MDE’s campaign is part of a national effort to reduce chronic absenteeism in schools. The MDE started bringing attention to the issue of chronic absenteeism in 2015 by reporting statewide chronic absenteeism data and educating school and district educators and leaders about the issue.
The most recent report shows that 28% of Mississippi students were absent 18 days or more during the 2021-22 school year.
Chronic absence differs from average daily attendance (ADA), which is the average number of enrolled students who attend school each day. A school’s ADA does not reveal how many students are chronically absent. A school can have an ADA of 95 percent or higher while having a chronic absence rate greater than 10 percent.
MDE’s Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement and Dropout Prevention is responsible for ensuring all Mississippi public school students attend school. School attendance officers (SAO) work out of this office to connect with families and help them eliminate barriers to school attendance.
MDE is encouraging all education stakeholders and community organizations to help spread awareness on this topic and consider implementing programs to reduce student absenteeism and promote attendance. Chronic absenteeism posters will be sent to school districts by Aug. 31, so districts can distribute them to schools and local organizations for awareness. Other resources, including downloadable materials, can be accessed at mdek12.org/attend.
In July 2023, office staff held a roundtable discussion with a group of SAOs, school administrators and youth court judges to get feedback on chronic absenteeism solutions. The office staff will work with school and community leaders throughout the school year to seek ways to mitigate chronic absenteeism.
“The long-term, adverse academic effects of chronic absenteeism have been well researched. Students need to be in school to achieve, so we must address the underlying issues that cause them to be chronically absent,” said Dr. Ray Morgigno, interim state superintendent. “With the collective efforts of schools, communities and parents, we can leverage resources to get more students back in the classroom.”
