February 13 2024- The bipartisan sponsors of a new bill aimed at addressing chronic absenteeism in Ohio schools are proposing a two-year pilot program. Republican state Rep. Bill Seitz and Democratic Rep. Dani Isaacsohn advocate for cash transfers to be sent to kindergarteners and ninth graders to incentivize school attendance. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of a school year, increased significantly during the pandemic. Before COVID-19, 11% of kindergarteners and 15% of freshmen were considered chronically absent; however, these rates soared to 29% and over 31%, respectively, in the last school year. The legislators emphasize the urgency of addressing this issue, considering it a top education priority.
