LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said the district is working proactively with the Jefferson County Attorney's Office to prevent chronic absenteeism in its schools.
"It's impossible for our teachers and our schools to meet the needs of our students if students are not in school," Pollio said.
Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed a new bill to promote student attendance during this year's General Assembly.
It requires school districts to refer students who have 15 or more unexcused absences to the County Attorney's Office.
If the student is in grades sixth through 12, the student must appear before a judge.
Later this week, JCPS will start submitting the names to the office. The attorney's office will then start contacting those families to see who needs additional support rather than excusable absences just undocumented.
"Every child deserves to receive their education," said Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell. "My office will push an outreach campaign to guardians of children in grades K-5 who may be chronically absent because even the most conscientious elementary student still needs the assistance of an adult to regularly get to school."
A letter will be sent to the families of K-5 students affected.
JCPS will continue to send text message reminders and referrals for in-person counseling. Parents who don't accept help or respond might face prosecution for unlawful transaction with a minor in the third degree.
"Research is clear that students learn best when they are in school receiving face-to-face instruction from a teacher," Pollio said. "We will continue our best efforts to get kids to school through support and encouragement. However, there comes a time when even the Herculean efforts of our staff aren’t enough and we could use help from others. That’s what will be happening as the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office joins our efforts."
Nearly one in every three Kentucky students were considered chronically absent last school year.
According to the Kentucky Department of Education, 5% of school districts were considered to have high or extreme levels of chronic absenteeism in 2018. In 2023, the percentage was 77%.
Chronic absenteeism in Jefferson County Public Schools was 38% during the 2022-2023 school year.
The state average is 30%.
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- Man arrested after double shooting at high school football game in southwest Louisville
- 2 students facing criminal charges after unrelated threats against Ballard High School
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