LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg was recognized this week for his role in a nationwide “Call to Action” that emphasizes the importance of school attendance.
Education Week listed more than 200 superintendents who are launching the academic year with a commitment to making reducing chronic absence a top priority, digging deeper into attendance data and working with community partners to improve school attendance starting as soon as children enter school.
The Call to Action drew leaders from some of the nation’s largest districts – New York City, Los Angeles and Miami-Dade County – as well as superintendents from smaller places, such as Glasgow, Montana with 850 students or Alpine County, Calif., with 80.
“We will continue to keep the future of Lake County's children as our top priority,” Falkenberg said. “I encourage you to work with friends and family, carpool, and help one another to make sure that all our children have access to quality education each and every day.”
Poor attendance is a surprisingly prevalent but often overlooked factor in why students and schools are struggling academically, officials said.
Although absenteeism is often considered a high school problem, national research shows that one in 10 kindergarten and first-grade students miss nearly a month of school every year in excused and unexcused absences.
Regardless of the reason for the absence, these missed days can leave children falling behind in reading and math. By sixth grade, chronic absence becomes a warning sign that a student might drop out of high school.
The Call to Action for superintendents is sponsored by seven national organizations that lead the Attendance Awareness Month campaign: America’s Promise Alliance, Attendance Works, The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Get Schooled, Healthy Schools Campaign, Points of Light and United Way Worldwide.
By joining the Call to Action, Brock Falkenberg will have access to tools, expert advice and peer learning opportunities.
Although many residents are still displaced, schools have reopened and education officials are working with each other across districts as well as the community to ensure that children attend school.
Lake County superintendent of schools joins national school attendance 'Call to Action'
- Lake County News reports
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