Bill proposal could mean students held back for missing school
The bill prohibits students from moving to the next grade if they miss more than 30 days of school
The bill prohibits students from moving to the next grade if they miss more than 30 days of school
The bill prohibits students from moving to the next grade if they miss more than 30 days of school
Wisconsin students may be prohibited from advancing grade levels if they miss more than 30 days of school, according to a new bill proposal.
The bill is an attempt to crack down on truancy in Wisconsin.
Truancy is an issue state, and nationwide. According to the latest data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, nearly a quarter of Wisconsin students are considered "chronically absent."
State Rep. Bob Donovan is one of the lawmakers trying to create stricter rules on truancy in Wisconsin. The republican from Greenfield, and more than a dozen other representatives, signed on to a new bill.
"In some areas its really out of control," Donovan said. "It's so critical to their future and their well being."
The legislation impacts all public school students, and private school students in the state's school choice program. Under the bill, any student who misses more than 30 days of school in an academic year would not move up to the next grade.
"Setting standards and holding kids accountable for their behavior is absolutely critical to them becoming good citizens down the road," Donovan said.
Data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction shows the statewide attendance rate for the 2021-2022 school year was 91 percent - down from 93 percent the year before.
2021-2022 school year data is the latest available from the DPI.
In the state's largest school district, school officials have said they're also working to get students back in the classroom. Milwaukee Public Schools Manager of School Social Work Nicole Cain testified in front of the legislature's truancy task force in October 2023.
"Our rate is currently 15.7 percent," Cain said of Milwaukee Public School's truancy rate.
In the hearing, Cain said MPS tries to focus on connecting families with resources, before punishing them for truancy.
"I don't know that they necessarily want to charge a parent, when the truancy is because you've been homeless and you haven't had a phone to contact the school. Or other situations related to poverty or other life situations that they are encountering," Cain said.
Lawmakers introduced the bill earlier this week. It has been referred to the Assembly's education committee. If the bill makes it out of the capitol, it could be implemented in the 2025-26 school year.