As students return to school, Canyons District works to fight chronic absenteeism
Aug 19, 2024, 3:00 PM
FILE - Students eat breakfast and color in Topaz Stotts' second-grade classroom before school starts at Klatt Elementary School in Anchorage, Aug. 17, 2021. (Emily Mesner/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(Emily Mesner/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — Roughly 33,000 students in Canyons School District headed back to school on Monday. This year, the district is working to combat chronic absenteeism.
“We really like having our kids at school. They learn when they are with their teachers and we have all the support systems in place,” said Jeff Haney, the spokesperson for Canyons School District.
Impacts of chronic absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism is a national problem. The United States Department of Education website defined chronic absenteeism as missing 15 or more school days each year.
According to Haney, one of the district’s goals is to support their students so they can stay in class. It employs a student wellness team, per the district website.
The American Federation of Teachers website said that there are a number of reasons kids miss a lot of school. Students may be reluctant to attend school if they are being bullied or feel unsafe.
Additionally, students who belong to low-income families are more likely to miss school.
The USDE said that students who miss a lot of school are more likely to fall behind. Additionally, it could be a better predictor of if a student will drop-out of high school than test scores.
High school dropouts are more likely to struggle with poverty, worse health, or become involved in crime.
Mariah Maynes contributed to this report.
Adam Small is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. He primarily reports on the Great Salt Lake and Natural Resources. Follow him on Facebook and X.
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