Maryland Task Force aims to combat chronic absenteeism in schools

A new initiative aimed at tackling chronic absenteeism in Maryland schools is making waves in the state legislature. House Bill 879, which establishes a Task Force to Improve Attendance and Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Schools, was discussed during the recent Education, Energy, and Environment Committee session.

The bill mandates that the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) provide staff support for the task force, which will not receive compensation but can claim expenses. By December 5, the task force is required to submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly. Additionally, MSDE must update regulations to incorporate these recommendations and distribute a toolkit by June to help school leaders identify and prevent chronic absenteeism.

An amendment proposed by Delegate Tavares aims to enhance the task force's responsibilities by requiring it to categorize reasons for chronic absenteeism and collect relevant data from local school systems. This amendment was met with support and was quickly moved and seconded during the meeting.

However, some committee members raised concerns about potential redundancy, noting that the existing Blueprint for Education already addresses chronic absenteeism through updated wraparound services. They argued that the bill's provisions might overlap with ongoing efforts by the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) and MSDE.

Despite these concerns, the bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will remain active until December 31, 2026. The discussions highlight a critical focus on improving student attendance across Maryland, with the task force poised to play a significant role in shaping future strategies.