A glaring flaw in the state’s new school accountability system calls on schools to count as absent only those students who miss entire days. Thus, students not counted are those in high school who skip a period here and there, as well as children in primary grades that come in late or leave early.
It is necessary for a child to make up learning time, even just a day or two. Research shows that students who are consistently absent are far more likely to drop out, to become involved in the criminal justice system, and to rely on public services. This is a big problem and should be corrected immediately.
