Dallas ISD is moving forward with a plan to spend up to $5 million on new programs and tools aimed at reducing chronic student absenteeism across the district.
The proposal, approved by the school board this week, targets students who miss at least 10 percent of the school year. District leaders say those absences hurt academic performance, graduation rates, and long-term outcomes, making attendance a key focus as schools continue recovering from pandemic-era disruptions.
Under Texas law, public schools receive state funding based on average daily attendance rather than total enrollment. That means fewer students in classrooms can translate directly into reduced funding, adding financial pressure on districts already facing rising costs and staffing challenges.
Dallas Independent School District officials say the new investment will fund outreach efforts, data tools, and support services designed to identify absent students earlier and remove barriers to regular attendance. District leaders say the goal is to improve learning while stabilizing attendance levels that affect both instruction and school funding.
The programs are expected to roll out during the current school year, with district staff monitoring attendance trends to measure their impact.
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