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Counselors tell House Education bill should prioritize prevention, consistent attendance rules
Summary
Two school counselors told the House Education committee the chronic-absenteeism bill should require a statewide model policy, clear rules for excused absences, consistent transfer of attendance records, and more counselor capacity to focus on prevention.
On Feb. 17, the House Education committee continued work on a committee bill that would define chronic absenteeism and require the Agency of Education to produce a model school policy. Two school counselors who testified urged the committee to prioritize prevention, consistent coding of absences, and more staffing resources rather than primarily punitive approaches.
"Students who are chronically absent or missing 10% or more of the school year are at greater risk for academic decline, disengagement, mental health challenges, and ultimately dropping out," said Mikaela Raff, a school counselor at Saint Albans City School. Raff told the committee chronic absenteeism has risen in Vermont and nationally and framed attendance as closely tied to student belonging and support.
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