Kindergarten Absenteeism is a Red Flag for Future Suspensions.
The DataHUB reveals that 79% of the chronically-absent kindergartners were eventually suspended from school. Their high-attending peers were less than half as likely -- 38% -- to be suspended, an indicator of at-risk behavioral health.
"Recent research shows that school, family, and community partnerships, working together, can significantly decrease chronic absenteeism. A coordinated campaign, with various partners addressing issues such as mobility, homelessness, transportation and health, would be a key strategy. The partner agencies gathered under the umbrella of the Family Care Community Partnerships (FCCP), Phase One of RI's System of Care for Child Welfare, have already successfully reduced the number of children coming into full DCYF care. The FCCP and DCYF's other programs are poised to work collaboratively with our families and their schools to leverage community supports to improve attendance and connections to community resources."
Janice DeFrances, Director of the Department of Children, Youth and Families
