Rhode Island Introduces New Attendance Policy for Students

Students actively engaged in a classroom, highlighting the importance of attendance for academic success.

News Summary

The Rhode Island Department of Education is launching a new student attendance policy that may lead to grade retention for chronically absent students. This initiative aims to tackle absenteeism, which has negatively impacted academic performance statewide. Parents will be notified if their child is at risk of retention due to attendance issues. Exceptions will be made for students with chronic illnesses or learning disabilities. With chronic absenteeism on the decline, state officials are also addressing the need for resources to support student achievement and combat absenteeism effectively.

Providence, Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is set to introduce a new student attendance policy for the upcoming school year, which could result in students being retained at their current grade level if they experience significant absenteeism. This policy aims to combat chronic absenteeism, which has been a persistent issue affecting student academic performance across the state.

Under the revised policy, if students fail to meet three specific attendance criteria, they may not be promoted to the next grade. Families will be notified if their child is at risk of retention due to attendance issues. RIDE officials emphasize that consistent attendance is critical for academic success, recognizing that promoting students who do not attend regularly can have detrimental effects on their learning outcomes.

The new attendance policy is an extension of the statewide Attendance Matters initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of school attendance. RIDE Commissioner has expressed that children must be present in school to learn effectively and has highlighted the correlation between attendance and academic achievement.

Data indicates that students who are frequently absent perform significantly lower than their peers. For instance, chronically absent students score about 20 percentage points lower on average in English Language Arts (ELA) assessments than those with good attendance records. Furthermore, students who are chronically absent have a nearly 40% chance of not graduating from high school. Recognizing these alarming statistics, RIDE is looking to take proactive measures to improve overall student attendance.

Exceptions to this new policy will be made for students who have chronic illnesses or learning disabilities, ensuring that those with legitimate reasons for their absences are not unfairly penalized. While the policy is aimed at improving overall attendance rates, some parents and educators have raised concerns. For instance, a parent pointed out that the policy may only address the symptoms of absenteeism, rather than tackling underlying issues, such as underfunded schools, insufficient resources, and inadequate classroom space.

Despite recent challenges, chronic absenteeism in Rhode Island has shown a positive trend, decreasing by 10% since the high point of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, educators stress the need to understand the root causes of absenteeism to aid in improving student progress and achievement. RIDE has committed to offering support to families struggling with attendance issues, reiterating that the well-being of students is a top priority.

Alongside the introduction of the attendance policy, RIDE recently released results from the 2024 Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS), revealing a slight decline of approximately 2% in ELA scores, while math scores have increased by 0.5%. The rise in participation in both ELA and math assessments is noted as a positive outcome, with math scores now surpassing pre-pandemic levels. However, the drop in ELA scores aligns with trends in other New England states, indicating a wider educational challenge, such as a reported 3% decrease in Massachusetts.

State officials, including the Governor, have highlighted the need to close the educational performance gap between Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts, attributing part of their efforts to the Attendance Matters RI campaign. The recent assessment results indicate that chronically absent students perform 18% lower in ELA and 21% lower in math compared to their regularly attending peers, underscoring the need for an effective attendance strategy.

To further support student achievement and combat absenteeism, RIDE plans to allocate a $40 million federal grant over the next five years to enhance literacy programs. This funding aims to provide both academic and emotional support to students, addressing the comprehensive needs of learners in the state. The commitment to tackling chronic absenteeism is seen as essential for improving student outcomes and overall educational success in Rhode Island.