SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan moving in the state capitol could create a task force to study how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted chronic absence of students.
This group could identify strategies, mechanisms, and approaches to help families, teachers, principals, and superintendents address chronic absence for K-12 students.
The state’s previous attendance commission’s work ended in December 2020, and lawmakers intended to bring a task force back to better understand the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
"Since then, chronic absenteeism has remained at historically high levels particularly amongst early learners, students from low-income households, students with disabilities, multi-lingual learners, and those experiencing homelessness," said Rep. Michael Crawford (D-Chicago).
The task force would submit recommendations to lawmakers for evidence-based practices to use attendance and absenteeism data to create a multi-tiered system of support promoting professional development for students.
Senate Bill 407 passed unanimously out of the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday and now moves to the House floor for further consideration. The measure previously gained unanimous support in the Senate on April 9.
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