Florida schools confront crisis of chronic absenteeism
The big story: Chronic absenteeism has soared in Florida schools since the pandemic.
Some observers and experts say it’s the biggest problem facing education today. Making up for missed lessons is improbable if children miss even more lessons, they say.
A number of factors require simultaneous attention to begin tackling the situation. And there’s no simple policy or easy action that has emerged. But one thing is certain: Strong relationships are critical to attract students back to classrooms and keep them there. Read more here.
Hot topics
Financial relief: A Pasco County family has reached a $1.2 million settlement with the school district over a 2006 bus crash that left their child with life-altering injuries.
Library books: The Alachua County school district is trying to clarify the facts behind a video that Libs of TikTok posted online regarding an assistant principal’s comments about a decision to keep a challenged book in school libraries, the Gainesville Sun reports.
Maintenance: Marion County school district officials say about 80% of maintenance needs go unmet in their schools, and it will cost about $840 million to cover the costs, WKMG reports.
School conversion: Some civic leaders in the city of Newberry are working to separate three schools from the Alachua County school district and convert them to charter status, WCJB reports.
Second chances: The Indian River County jail needs more teachers to help inmates pursue a GED, WPBF reports.
Security: Flagler County government has told the school district it no longer will pay half the cost of placing deputies in schools, Flagler Live reports.
Special education: Some Palm Beach County parents say their schools lack the resources to identify students’ learning disabilities and help them, WPEC reports.
Technology: The Sarasota County School Board is poised to adopt new policies to address the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, WUSF reports.
Transportation: Citrus County schools face continued problems finding enough school bus drivers, the Citrus County Chronicle reports. “When we talk to our bus drivers, that’s the number one thing – poor student behavior,” assistant superintendent Jonny Bishop said.
Today in Tallahassee ... The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will hear bills on school chaplains and history of communism when it meets at 8:30 a.m.
From the court docket ... Citizens Defending Freedom has sued the Nassau County school district, alleging the district did not provide information the group requested about its behavioral health curriculum, Jacksonville Today reports. • Florida Virtual School has appealed a ruling in its legal fight to protect its trademark, News Service of Florida reports.
In higher ed
Financial aid: Students and parents are growing frustrated with delays in the FAFSA application process, Associated Press reports.
Homelessness: Florida Atlantic University received a gift of nearly $500,000 that will help its homeless students pay for housing and other expenses, WPTV reports.
Nursing school: Florida A&M University’s School of Nursing has been removed from probation after improving its student passage rates, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
Unions: While several school-related employee unions have struggled to maintain their certification, professors at Florida International University have seen a boom in membership, WLRN reports.
Don’t miss a story ... Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go ... Want to be an actor? Here’s some advice from Tom Hanks.
