Kindergarteners in the U.S. are missing a lot of school. In K-12 across the country, an alarming number of children have been chronically absent — defined as missing at least 10% of the school year, usually about 18 days. It’s an old problem that COVID made much, much worse. By one count, more than 1 in 4 students in the U.S. was chronically absent during the 2022-23 school year. In California, that included more than 1 in 3 kindergartners. But the tiny town of Livingston is an outlier. It shares 3 powerful lessons for how schools can work with parents to proactively prevent absenteeism.
I believe more should be done about the sanitation of classrooms, especially for young children. Teachers cannot financially or physically take on anymore responsibilities.
Debra Ann
4w
Both the post above and the article talks about COVID but neither gives illness as the reason for the students missing school. The link tells of one absent child but says specifically that they don't know why that child was absent. The last 1-2 paragraphs tells of another one child experiencing anxiety and not wanting to leave their parent's car. Did I miss something?
It’s the overall work ethic of this country. Nobody feels they need an education because they will all be the next American Idol or sports hero. Until we start valuing education like other countries do, the kinds of changes needed will never occur.
Love this article! I have seen how kindergarten students struggle after missing days. But often they are truly sick, with illness going around and around the classroom or daycare throughout the school year. When I worked with preschoolers, I was literally sick every two or three months (yes, I ate healthy, got enough sleep and exercise), and so were many of them. Some children are being exposed to new germs at school or daycare for the first time, and their immune systems are developing. Apparently, my body could only handle so much exposure on a daily basis, and same for many of the kids. But then there are families who may not realize how important early education is and may treat school as a babysitter, perhaps not understanding the impact of learning on such skills as verbal communication and how to compromise and get along with others: skills that impact our lives. Research tells us that brain development and early learning can set the stage for life, not just later grades! This district is coming up with solutions that are making a difference. Wonderful! 🎉
Kate Recore
3w
As a teacher, I've had one kindergartener who stayed home because he wanted to, and dozens who sob or fall asleep at their desks who have fevers and should've stayed home. There is no one fix all, but I'm not a fan of perfect attendance. I think it misses the point. And, districts lose money when kids are absent, so their motivation is not kids being better educated--it's money.
Lia Merivaki
4w
I am amazed that ventilation or masks are not included in the list of things to ensure kids don't get sick, and this won't miss school. Consistent attendance habits are all good but not at the expense of the kids' health. It should not be the nurse's full time and off work job to respond to parents' calls and take that responsibility.
Stephen Law
3w
We must teach the parents that attendance is important!
It’s very sad that a “teacher” cannot post something “positive” in their class and not get negative responses. From a parent of 6, a grandmother of 10 and a teacher, my suggestion to the negative comments would be to those “parents” be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Do your part as a parent and learn more about the importance of a good education, it actually starts long before Kindergarten. The parent/parents are their child/childerns first teacher. Kindergarten is so important for kids!
Pre-K is where it should start but Kindergarten is critical to get off on a good start IMO!👍🏼😉👌🏼
Senior Business Analyst at Lincoln Financial Group
4wThe cycle of sending our kids when they are only a little sick is spreading illness throughout the school and creating additional absenteeism. My child is sick a dozen times a year because of all the germs she is picking up at school from people not staying home. If I keep her home like I should then we get in trouble with the school for too many absences. I do not think celebrating perfect attendance is the answer, maybe we just need better systems in place for students to learn from home when they are just a “little” sick or to catch up if they need to be fully out.