Source: cleanlink.com | Re-Post System4 1/26/2016 –
The U.S. Department of Education has recently released new data from the 2013–2014 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The Department releases the CRDC every two years in an effort to create transparency around the educational opportunities and experiences of millions of public school students. These data provide schools the opportunity to identify areas of improvement and further enhance education and educational facilities for both students and staff nationwide.
This survey of all public schools and school districts in the United States has revealed that 6.5 million students — 13 percent of the student population — missed 15 or more days of school in the 2013–2014 school year. Additionally, nearly 500 school districts across the country reported that at least 30 percent of their students missed at least 15 days — three weeks — of school in the 2013–2014 school year. This is known as chronic absenteeism, and it affects students of all genders, races and ethnicities at every grade level. Students who are chronically absent jeopardize their education.
Research suggests poor health is one of the challenges contributing to irregular attendance. Frequent absences from school can be harmful to student development and may affect students’ future success. Access to these data allows principals, teachers and other school staff to be in a better position to support students and provide them the resources and environment needed to thrive.