More than 7,700 Sacramento City Unified School District students, about 16 percent, were “chronically absent” from school last year, missing more than 10 percent of school days, according to data from the district. That’s higher than the statewide average of 11 percent.Is the $1 million (initial) price tag truly justified?
Not having access to transportation is the top reason kids miss school, Sacramento City Councilman Jay Schenirer says.
That’s why he is proposing to let all children in kindergarten through 12th grade who live or go to school in Sacramento ride public transit — buses and light rail — for free.
Education, politics, and anything else that catches my attention.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
I'm Skeptical
Is this really why some students are chronically absent?
Yes, they are justified. Here in NY, the parents complain its a hardship if the students have to have a half mile or more walk. Bottom line is the parents aren't going to pay for transport for their child, they expect the school district to provide that out of what the taxpayers pony up. No free pass, no go to school. In NYC students do not get an unlimited pass:
ReplyDeletesee https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/transportation/metro-cards
Of course, the SD for this location is leaving out the attendance number the percent that are in the home country for part of the winter and the number who are working under the table rather than attending. They'll be subsidizing a lot of employment if the free pass is given per the proposal and likely soaking the taxpayer instead of the businesses to pay for it.