Middle and high school students in Louisiana might start school later to combat truancy. A Baton Rouge organization suggests this change as a solution, noting that 51,000 students in the Capital Region miss at least five days of school annually, with over half missing 15 or more days. Jake Polansky from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber highlighted that two out of five students are truant, a problem exacerbated by the pandemic. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Member Dadrius Lanus emphasizes early tracking of absences to prevent long-term issues. A proposed bill would delay start times, potentially improving attendance and academic performance. The policy, if passed, would take two years to implement, allowing time for logistical adjustments.
https://www.wafb.com/2024/04/08/pushing-school-start-times-back-address-truancy
