An Act To Reduce Absenteeism in Students from Kindergarten to Third Grade

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to direct the Department of Education to establish a program that provides incentives to parents or guardians of students in kindergarten to 3rd grade who are prone to absenteeism from school to encourage the parents or guardians to reduce or eliminate the absenteeism. The parent or guardian of a student who has been determined to have excessive absenteeism would be required to meet with a school administrator and social worker. Incentives may be offered, for example, cash rewards or gift cards to grocery stores. The program would be a public-private partnership, and the Department of Education would seek private or corporate partners to help provide or donate the incentives.