Hartford, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Steps are being taken to mitigate the chronically high rate of absenteeism in Hartford Schools, Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez said.
In January district-wide, the rate was 47%.
The district transitioned from a ten to five-day quarantine period and some students who weren't sick ended up staying home with siblings, she said.
Other factors include staffing at 75% and transportation issues.
School outreach teams assist the district, Torres-Rodriguez said.
"They do outreach via phone and home visits and then we identify what's called family care plans. Most of the time it involves contact with our community partners. So, they can connect families with other services they might need," she said.
Another factor is the family dynamic, Torres-Rodriguez said. "When you have housing and food insecurity and unemployment. And we know those can't be solved at the school. Which is why it requires an inter-agency strategy."
40% of kindergarteners are chronically absent, according to Torres-Rodriguez.
"And so, they have to rely on their extended network of support. That network, that person, that grandma, aunt or neighbor might know how to help that five-year-old, for example, log on and be there for the instructions happening virtually when they're quarantined," she said.
Torres-Rodriguez was a guest on Brian and company.