School administrators confirmed on Thursday that half of all Baltimore City School students are chronically absent.
Administrators were questioned about the absentee record during a city budget hearing on Thursday.
The school district is set to receive $1.5 billion in additional state funds this next fiscal year as part of the state's education reform plan.
David Heiber, CEO of Concentric Educational Solutions (CES) & former Baltimore city schools teacher joined Fox45 News to discuss the most recent city school hearing and what the district should be doing now to prepare.
“Chronic absenteeism has always been an issue. I think it has grown exponentially post-pandemic in connection with the rising crime rate, particularly for juveniles. During the summertime school districts need to be extremely proactive about students who are chronically absent.” Heiber said.
“Summertime is a key component of when to get to those students, find out what they need, and create a robust and strategic plan for those students and families when they come back. The summertime is not just about planning but implementation.”
There were issues noted by district leaders in their adopted budget that states the most important intention of the Kirwan Blueprint, targeting funds to the students in need, is fundamentally flawed. Heiber says being proactive, is what will work best.
“Every single student should be visited over the summertime, not just the chronically absent students, the students who need additional support, the students who are doing well so they can be better,” Heiber said. “We need to be asking the students and parents how can we be supportive."