Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the rate of chronic absenteeism in American schools must urgently be reduced, and for other purposes.

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1623 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1623

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the rate of 
 chronic absenteeism in American schools must urgently be reduced, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 19, 2024

Mr. Wenstrup submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
              the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the rate of 
 chronic absenteeism in American schools must urgently be reduced, and 
                          for other purposes.

Whereas chronic absenteeism is defined as absence on at least 10 percent of 
        school days for any reason;
Whereas there has been a sharp rise in the rate of chronic absenteeism in 
        primary and secondary students across the United States since the onset 
        of the coronavirus pandemic;
Whereas Congress is concerned that chronic absenteeism in American schools has a 
        critical impact on the well-being and future of our Nation, and that the 
        House of Representatives supports efforts by educators to address the 
        high rate of truancy;
Whereas chronic absenteeism has a proven negative impact on academic achievement 
        trajectories and leads to learning loss, higher dropout rates, poor 
        nutrition, delayed social development, and impaired health outcomes;
Whereas these issues are greatly exacerbated when the absences occur in earlier 
        grade levels;
Whereas the issue demands additional attention, with elevated truancy rates 
        remaining durable beyond the end of the coronavirus pandemic;
Whereas poor transportation, school culture, instability at home, and other 
        factors all deserve additional collaboration from families, schools, and 
        elected officials;
Whereas education professionals have developed and are implementing policy tools 
        to effectively deal with this epidemic in K-12 education; and
Whereas the House of Representatives sees fit to promote continued coordination, 
        and additional dialogue, investment, and attention to be paid to this 
        issue: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives encourages 
collaboration between State and local elected officials, educators, 
administrators, and other stakeholders to reduce--
            (1) the rate of chronic absenteeism in American schools; 
        and
            (2) the negative impact of chronic absenteeism on students 
        and communities across the United States.
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