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B 26-0402

Improving School Attendance Outcomes Amendment Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Zachary Parker

Improving School Attendance Outcomes Amendment Act of 2025 SummaryThe Improving School Attendance Outcomes Amendment Act of 2025 is a bill that aims to address chronic absenteeism

Re-Referral published.
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Bill Summary · B 26-0402

Improving School Attendance Outcomes Amendment Act of 2025

Summary

The Improving School Attendance Outcomes Amendment Act of 2025 is a bill that aims to address chronic absenteeism in public schools by implementing new interventions and support systems for students and families.

Key Provisions

  1. Mandatory School Attendance Tracking: The bill requires all public schools to implement an electronic attendance tracking system to monitor student attendance in real-time.

  2. Early Intervention Program: The bill establishes an "Early Intervention Program" that will provide additional support and resources to students who accumulate 5 or more unexcused absences per semester. This may include counseling, mentoring, and connections to community services.

  3. Parental Engagement Requirements: The bill mandates that schools must make reasonable efforts to engage parents/guardians when a student reaches 10 unexcused absences. This includes home visits, referrals to social services, and potential court involvement for habitual truancy.

  4. Chronic Absence Reduction Targets: The bill sets targets for public schools to reduce their rates of chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days) by 25% over the next 3 school years.

  5. Funding for Attendance Initiatives: The bill allocates $10 million per year in additional funding to support the new attendance tracking systems, early intervention programs, and other attendance improvement efforts in high-need school districts.

Impact

The Improving School Attendance Outcomes Amendment Act is intended to:

  • Improve overall school attendance rates and reduce chronic absenteeism, particularly among disadvantaged student populations.
  • Provide earlier identification of and intervention for students at risk of chronic absence.
  • Increase parental/guardian engagement and accountability around school attendance.
  • Direct additional resources to schools and districts struggling with attendance challenges.

The bill's supporters argue that addressing chronic absenteeism is crucial for improving educational outcomes and life trajectories for many students. However, some critics have raised concerns about the potential for overly punitive measures against parents and the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.

Next Steps

The bill has been re-referred to the Committee on Education for further consideration and potential amendments before moving to a full Council vote. If passed, the new attendance tracking and intervention requirements would be phased in over the next 2 school years.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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