BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH) — As kids settle into their classrooms for the new school year, education leaders want to know the seats are filled each day.
News 8 sat down for an exclusive update on chronic absenteeism in Connecticut- and whether our state makes the grade.
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The new school year is officially underway and the top assignment for school leaders? Making sure your child is in their classroom each day.
“We’ve gotten about 34,000 more students to attend school regularly,” state education commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker said.
She sat down with News 8 in a Stafford Elementary School classroom in Bristol for an exclusive look into the state’s chronic absenteeism, which is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year.
Alongside her? Hedy Chang with Attendance Works, a national nonprofit initiative that’s been working with Connecticut on strategies to get more kids to go to school.
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They say Connecticut leads the nation in tackling the problem and has made improvements since setting a bold goal to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50% from a peak of 23.7% in 2021 to 11.8% by 2027.
“We’ve gone from 117,000 students who were not attending school regularly, to now 83,000 students not attending school regularly. You’re right we have a lot of work to do, we celebrate the successes we’ve seen along the way because that is really important,” Russell-Tucker said.
But with 83,000 students chronically absent today, there’s work to do.
“Parents have to actually help with solutions. At the same time, schools have to make schools a place parents feel welcome and heard, and a sense of belonging,” Chang said.
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Programs are in place- like LEAP and Talk Tuesdays- that bring educators and families together. The next step may also need to include understanding when an illness is severe enough to stay home and when school may actually help.
“It may just be a sign of anxiety. Going to school gives kids a chance to learn and develop. Anxiety can actually increase your attention,” Chang said.
Leaning into learning despite the obstacles.
All parties are at the table, working together to get the tens of thousands of students chronically absent right now back in school each day by the 2026-2027 school year.
“That is our goal – we’re not letting up on that,” Russell-Tucker said.
They both reinforce high school is the target and the most challenging. But it’s imperative the good habits happen at all stages. When kids are accustomed to attending school regularly as a child, it’s more likely to stick with them through high school.
You can watch News 8’s full interview with the state education commissioner on the WTNH News 8 Streaming App.
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