The 74: Student Absences Have Surged Since COVID. Some Lawmakers Say Parents Should be Jailed

Dozens of bills nationwide seek to address chronic absenteeism. While some focus on supports and incentives, others look to leverage punishments.

As educators nationwide grapple with stubbornly high levels of student absences since the pandemic drove schools into disarray five years ago, Oklahoma prosecutor Erik Johnson says he has the solution. 

Throw parents in jail. 

Chronic absenteeism nearly doubled — to about 30% — the year after the pandemic shuttered classrooms, plunged families into poverty and led to the deaths of more than 1 million Americans. Student attendance rates have improved by just a few percentage points since the federal public health emergency expired nearly two years ago, a reality that’s been dubbed “Education’s long COVID.” 

https://www.the74million.org/article/student-absences-have-surged-since-covid-some-lawmakers-say-parents-should-be-jailed/