New state law changing attendance policy in public schools

A new Mississippi law is changing how public schools handle student absences. But some parents, educators, and healthcare providers are concerned about what the changes could mean for students who get sick.

Allyson Cole with the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center explains.

Mississippi laws are taking a new approach to keeping students in the classroom.

Under Senate Bill 2103, students are generally allowed five excused absences per semester. After a student’s third illness-related absence, parents will need medical documentation.

Teacher and mother Shayla Haynes says she understands the push to address absenteeism. “It’s good that they do have that plan in place because there are some students that just don’t come to school, and not because it’s their fault, because their parents just won’t send them.”

But Haynes says not every illness requires a trip to the doctor. Her son has asthma and allergies. “If he has like an allergy or asthma flare-up, I don’t take him to the doctor. I just keep him at home because I know what it is. I could take him to the doctor, but it’ll be a blank trip because I know what it is.”

Nearly 28% of Mississippi public school students were chronically absent last school year.

The new law requires schools to step in earlier — contacting parents and beginning interventions after three absences.

Associate State Superintendent Bryan Marshall says those interventions will look different depending on the student. “What works in a high school is not going to work in elementary, so to say there’s a blanket intervention, there’s not, and there’s no magic bullet for attendance.”

The law gives districts some flexibility, including allowing additional excused absences for prolonged illnesses.

Pediatrician Constance Barnes-Woods says that flexibility will be important for students with chronic conditions. “We support every effort to have children in the classroom, but we also like to see some flexibility with those children who have chronic illnesses.”

Mississippi school districts have until November 1 to adopt their new attendance policies.