States try new measures to get chronically absent students back to class

Six states, including Utah, Oregon, and Vermont, have enacted new laws this year to combat chronic absenteeism by implementing measures such as attendance monitoring systems, public data reporting, parental penalties, and task forces. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more school days, and states are introducing stricter interventions, including fines and community service for parents, to address the issue.