Victoria I.S.D. fights chronic absenteeism in early childhood

VICTORIA, Texas - About 500 students in early childhood at V.I.S.D. have missed over 10% of school days this year. Attendance rates for younger students in V.I.S.D. were as low as 64% some days.

Regular attendance in early years is crucial for building fundamental skills in reading and math. Chronic absenteeism can lead to retention in later grades.

The U.S. Department of Education said, "Children who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the third grade."

To address this issue, V.I.S.D. plans to implement programs to encourage attendance and provide support to parents. Families are encouraged to prioritize attendance, communicate absences with the school, and ensure their child is prepared for school.

According to the Texas Education Agency, schools earn $6,160 per student meeting daily attendance requirements. Absent students are not counted, impacting funding.

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