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San Bernardino PSA urges parents to curb chronic absenteeism to protect learning
Summary
A public service announcement from local school districts, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the county district attorney’s office urged parents to prioritize regular school attendance, warning that missing about 10% of school is linked to lower reading achievement and higher dropout risk.
A public service announcement produced by local school districts in partnership with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office urged parents across San Bernardino County to prioritize regular school attendance, saying chronic absenteeism — missing roughly 10% of school — harms early learning and raises dropout risk.
The announcement defined chronic absenteeism as missing about 10% of school, “about 1 to 2 days a month,” and warned of long-term consequences for students. The public service announcer said, “Many parents don't know that chronic absenteeism means missing just 10% of school, about 1 to 2 days a month. Chronically absent early learners struggle to read at grade level by third grade.”
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson spoke in the message and linked school attendance to public safety. “Education is so important, and the statistics show that when your kids stay in school, that they're less likely to be a victim of crime, and they'll actually help with public safety, not only within your family, but within the community,” Anderson said. The PSA encouraged parents to use resources and guidance available through their child’s school.
The announcement cited a statistic that “21 percent of third graders reading below level won't graduate high school” and said that by sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading predictor of dropping out. The PSA suggested scanning a QR code on screen for tips and resources and noted that parents can also contact their child's school directly for support.
The message emphasized that regular attendance also supports social and emotional development: “Regular attendance allows students to form strong friendships, build trust with teachers, and fully participate in all the experiences that make learning come alive,” a school district spokesperson said.
Parents and caregivers were directed to scan the on-screen QR code or reach out to their child’s school for localized resources; no new policies or enforcement actions were announced in the message.
