File #: Res 0270-2024    Version: * Name: Department of Education to update its student absence notification protocols.
Type: Resolution Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 3/19/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to update its student absence notification protocols.
Sponsors: Joann Ariola , Farah N. Louis, Julie Menin, Robert F. Holden, Lynn C. Schulman, Gale A. Brewer, Kevin C. Riley, Kamillah Hanks, Nantasha M. Williams, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chris Banks, Alexa Avilés, Kalman Yeger , Vickie Paladino, Kristy Marmorato, Joseph C. Borelli, David M. Carr, Inna Vernikov
Council Member Sponsors: 18
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 270, 2. March 19, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 3-19-24, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - March 19, 2024

Res. No. 270

 

Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to update its student absence notification protocols.

 

By Council Members Ariola, Louis, Menin, Holden, Schulman, Brewer, Riley, Hanks, Williams, Brooks-Powers, Banks, Avilés, Yeger, Vernikov, Paladino, Marmorato, Borelli and Carr

 

Whereas, Attendance is vital to academic success and lost education poses a potential risk of under achievement; and

Whereas, Protecting the safety and wellbeing of students through reporting and monitoring of absenteeism is the responsibility of both parents/guardians and schools; and

Whereas, Schools need to know when and why a student is absent and parents/guardians need to know if their child is not at school; and

Whereas, Prompt communication also promotes daily school attendance; and

Whereas, Early morning notification of a student’s absence allows time for the parent or guardian to respond in a proper and timely fashion; and

Whereas, Technology is available that would allow Department of Education (DOE) to maximize the chance of reaching a parent/guardian, close the feedback loop with a parent/guardian more quickly and allow DOE to contact parents/guardians not only about student absence but also period absence and tardiness; and

Whereas, The Chancellor is responsible for setting the standards for school-based attendance programs and issuing guidelines related to attendance issues and services; and

Whereas, Principals are responsible for ensuring that their school’s attendance program meets the standards for attendance services, as mandated by state requirements and as required by this regulation and other DOE guidelines; and

Whereas, The last time the DOE changed its Standards for Attendance Programs was September 28, 2017; and

Whereas, The DOE should mandate that notification of a student’s absence should be no later than 9am for elementary schools and 2nd period for middle and high school students; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education to update its student absence notification protocols.

 

 

 

Session 13

LS #9702

01/17/2024

 

Session 12

LS #9702

MMB

10/01/22; 2:07 p.m.