Keep Kids in School Act
Sponsored By: Senator Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced
Summary
Reduce chronic absenteeism in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill would create a federal grant program that funds State educational agencies to help local districts lower absenteeism and make learning environments safer.
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- Students and families: Would target students who miss 10% or more of school days and fund services that address barriers to attendance like counseling, home visits, and transportation.
- Schools and staff: Would let districts use subgrants to hire counselors, mental health professionals, social workers, or family liaisons and to pay teacher stipends for home visits.
- State and local education agencies: Would require State agencies to apply for grants and to give subgrants to local districts, which must report on impact within 3 years.
- Federal research and oversight: Would require a Comptroller General study on chronic absenteeism and evidence-based interventions with a report to congressional education committees and the Secretary of Education within 1 year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More school help to cut absences
If enacted, the bill would create a federal grant program where the Secretary of Education would give money to states. States would give subgrants to local school districts to help public K–12 schools cut chronic absenteeism and improve safety. Schools could use the funds to hire counselors, mental health staff, social workers, or family liaisons; pay teachers stipends for home visits; run programs; pay for buses; and track absenteeism with research and data. The Secretary would favor states with high absenteeism or vulnerable student populations. The bill would define a chronically absent student as one who misses 10% or more of enrolled school days (excused or unexcused). Local districts that get a subgrant would have to report to the state within three years on whether supported schools reduced their chronic absenteeism rate.
Federal study on school absenteeism
If enacted, the bill would direct the Comptroller General to study chronic absenteeism and safety in public elementary and secondary schools. The study would examine how evidence-based interventions can lower absenteeism and improve student achievement and well-being. The Comptroller General would have to send a report with conclusions and recommendations to two congressional education committees and to the Secretary of Education within one year of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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