TRANSCRIPT:
For South Carolina Public Radio, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris from the College of Charleston. This is Teachable Moments, a minute of education for students and parents.
Since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has skyrocketed across the country. According to recent data, an estimated 26% of public-school students were considered chronically absent, up from 15% before the pandemic.
A student is considered chronically absent when they miss at least 10% of school, which has a significant impact on grades.
Some schools have found success through outreach efforts such as sending text reminders to parents and caregivers and visiting homes to foster stronger school family connections. Regular attendance is critical, and students are more likely to show up when they feel a stronger connection to their school.
For the College of Charleston, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris.
