Sponsors (13)
The bill promotes coordinated, non-punitive, data-driven supports to reduce chronic absenteeism and address equity, but it relies heavily on local implementation without dedicated federal funding, creating significant fiscal, administrative, and implementation challenges and some privacy/legal risks.
Students at risk of chronic absenteeism receive coordinated, evidence-based supports (high-dosage tutoring, mentoring, counseling, restorative justice and early interventions) that reduce missed days and improve academic outcomes.
Students facing exclusionary discipline are less likely to be suspended, fined, or academically penalized for absences because LEAs are required to adopt non-punitive approaches.
Schools and local education agencies gain data tools (early warning indicators, disaggregated tracking, data-sharing agreements) to identify at-risk students earlier and target supports more effectively.
States and districts are expected to act on the findings and implement interventions without dedicated federal funding or mandates, leaving local governments, school districts, and taxpayers to bear most costs.
School districts will face increased administrative and fiscal burdens (building data systems, training staff, coordinating partners, and delivering new programs), stretching limited staff time and budgets.
Implementing recommended interventions (tutoring, professional development, home visits, language services) may force districts to reallocate scarce resources and potentially crowd out other priorities if new funding is not provided.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Adds chronic-absenteeism interventions to federal K–12 law, lists allowable LEA activities to prevent absenteeism, and prohibits punitive attendance penalties by LEAs.
Official title: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow local educational agencies to use Federal funds for programs and activities that address chronic absenteeism, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 15, 2026 by Christian D. Menefee · Last progress June 15, 2026
Adds chronic-absenteeism prevention and intervention requirements to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by authorizing a range of LEA activities to identify, prevent, and reduce chronic absenteeism and by requiring LEAs to assure they will not use suspensions, fines, or academic penalties as punishment for absences. The bill lists allowable activities — data systems and sharing, family engagement, tiered supports, professional development, community partnerships, mentoring, restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and evidence-based high‑impact tutoring — and calls for coordination and evaluation. The law frames chronic absenteeism as a widespread problem that disproportionately affects students of color and students facing homelessness, health, safety, or family challenges. It emphasizes cross-sector approaches and evidence-based interventions to improve attendance and academic outcomes without punitive attendance penalties.