RI House passes chronic absenteeism bill, other school bills passed

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed legislation yesterday that would require local education agencies to adopt and maintain school attendance policies.

The “Attendance for Success” Act would mandate requirements that focus on two key measures; this includes tracking absenteeism rates using data and implementing a tiered systems of support to address student needs, while also improving communication between students, parents, and legal guardians to identify the root cause of absenteeism to ensure that students receive the support through appropriate community-based services and interventions.

The act would also re-define absent to mean “not in attendance for at least 50 percent of the school day.”

The House has also passed a bill that would give parents more control over their child’s individual learning plan services.

The bill, if approved by the senate, would allow parents and guardians to approve or reject changes in their child’s educational services while also allowing parents to observe their child’s classroom prior to their placement.

Any IEP documents would also need to be given to parents in advance of meetings with their child.

At the senate:

A bill that has been approved by the Rhode Island Senate will now advance to the House floor.

The bill addresses children’s mental health to establish a pilot program to train specialized professionals to address the needs of young children and their families in schools throughout the state.