Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the rate of chronic absenteeism in American schools must urgently be reduced, and for other purposes.

Whereas chronic absenteeism is defined as absence on at least 10 percent of school days for any reason;

Whereas there has been a sharp rise in the rate of chronic absenteeism in primary and secondary students across the United States since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic;

Whereas Congress is concerned that chronic absenteeism in American schools has a critical impact on the well-being and future of our Nation, and that the House of Representatives supports efforts by educators to address the high rate of truancy;

Whereas chronic absenteeism has a proven negative impact on academic achievement trajectories and leads to learning loss, higher dropout rates, poor nutrition, delayed social development, and impaired health outcomes;

Whereas these issues are greatly exacerbated when the absences occur in earlier grade levels;

Whereas the issue demands additional attention, with elevated truancy rates remaining durable beyond the end of the coronavirus pandemic;

Whereas poor transportation, school culture, instability at home, and other factors all deserve additional collaboration from families, schools, and elected officials;

Whereas education professionals have developed and are implementing policy tools to effectively deal with this epidemic in K–12 education; and

Whereas the House of Representatives sees fit to promote continued coordination, and additional dialogue, investment, and attention to be paid to this issue: Now, therefore, be it