Student absenteeism threatens to dent budgets

03-03-2010

By Emily Alpert/Voice of San Diego

San Diego Unified celebrated when student attendance rates soared last year. The increase brought in badly needed state funding. But as the school district braces for another year of budget cuts, it's now facing the opposite -- a dip in attendance that could cost schools roughly $3.3 million next year. Many forces kept students from school. Swine flu and drizzly days pulled some kids home. But the school district has also cut back on clerical workers who call home to check on truants. And it didn't follow through on its own recommendations to boost attendance and keep the funds flowing. Attendance rates are vital for San Diego Unified. Schools across the state get more funding if more students show up. Attending school is also vital for students: Kids who miss lots of days are far more likely to fall behind in class, the first step in a slippery slope to dropping out completely. (more...)

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