The recent editorial in this newspaper rightly highlighted Louisiana’s student absenteeism crisis. Regular attendance is essential to learning, yet many students face obstacles that make getting to school difficult.
Addressing those challenges requires shared responsibility among families, schools, courts, nonprofits, healthcare providers and state leaders. This is a statewide public health and education priority.
Louisiana Department of Education Superintendent Cade Brumley and the Power of Presence initiative recognize that attendance is more than counting absences. Schools are identifying barriers and using data-driven strategies to respond, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education continues supporting policies that reinforce consistent attendance.
LSU’s development and evaluation of the TASC (Truancy Assessment and Service Centers) model demonstrates the value of early identification of elementary students’ chronic absences. At LSU’s Social Research & Evaluation Center, we emphasize cross-agency collaboration and supportive strategies because absenteeism often reflects complex family or community challenges. Statewide coordination and community partnerships can keep students connected and engaged.
The Louisiana Supreme Court’s Families in Need of Services – Assistance Program (FINS-AP), through a legal process of judicial intervention, brings public and private services together to identify needs, establish family service plans and support educational completion. With additional funding from Gov. Jeff Landry and the Legislature, FINS-AP is expanding statewide.
Judges, educators, nonprofits, law enforcement, district attorneys, healthcare providers and community organizations are working together to help children attend and stay in school.
Organizations such as Attendance Matters Louisiana and Attendance USA strengthen this work through professional learning opportunities. Parents remain essential allies.
Readers can help by asking their local schools how to support attendance efforts. Continued attention, compassion and coordination will reduce absenteeism and expand opportunity for every student.
JUDITH FALGOUT RHODES
director, Social Research & Evaluation Center of Excellence
College of Human Sciences & Education
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge
