Early Childhood
Our youngest students begin their school experience at the age of 3 or 4. While they are young, the importance of early childhood education and daily attendance cannot be diminished.
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Justice Involved Youth
The Juvenile Justice team supports school re-engagement and transition for students detained at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC).
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LGBTQ Students
Students who identify as LGBTQ are at higher risk of being chronically absent. This occurs because students may experience depression, bullying, anxiety, or even homelessness due to their family’s inability to recognize and support.
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Multicultural, Multilingual, Newcomer, or SLIFE
Frustration due to language barriers, or cultural differences can be reasons behind a child’s absence. Considering this as a root cause should be part of the process when trying to determine the “why?” behind a student’s absence.
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Pregnant and Parenting Youth
Students who are pregnant or are parents themselves have challenges that may impact their attendance. Pregnant students may miss school due to prenatal visits, not feeling well, and/or, post-delivery recovery. Further, once there is a child that needs care, the ability to take care of a newborn child to a school age child does call upon a young parent to navigate childcare issues, as well as general child care responsibilities.
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Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS)
Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) are a priority group of students due to their hardship status. A student who is eligible for the STLS status is experiencing housing insecurity wherein, they are: Living in a shelter, Doubling up with someone due to loss of permanent housing, or They do not have a fixed and adequate nighttime residence.
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Substance Use
Substance use may also be a root cause for students being chronic absent. School staff should respond to substance use with a healing-centered, collaborative approach that prioritizes trauma-engaged, evidence-based practices. They should work with students, parents and caregivers, and community partners to connect students with supportive adults and community resources.
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Programs for Off Track High School Students
Students can fall off track for any number of reasons. The main reason is chronic absenteeism. Students who fall behind due to absence may be able to get back on track if a school responds with opportunities or programs that can help them recover lost credit, obtain new credit, reset their path and focus, or exist so students who are in crisis do not have to drop out due to that crisis.
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