GUEST COLUMN – School Absenteeism and its effects on our children

As a childcare provider who has been involved with children for over 20 years, I have noticed a worrisome and troublesome trend with many of the children here in Gadsden County.

In fact, I have been told that I need to stop stressing about things that I can do nothing about.

As I drive around Gadsden County, I see so many of our mostly black young men, and yes some of the young women as well, walking around town and getting into trouble.

We know that an idle mind is dangerous, and this will lead to trouble in the long run.

Because I had to do an article, yes for my job, I now have the opportunity to express my concerns.

When I began to compose this letter, I decided to do some research, and yes there is lots of information to be had on the web, I came across an article completed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and according to their report, chronic absenteeism affect school children of color and non-English speakers as well as students with disabilities at a much higher rate than any other children in our society.

It also points out that a child who experiences chronic absenteeism falls behind in school when they do go to class, causing them to become low achievers in the classroom.

The snowball effect is these same children began to socially disengage, and the long term lasting result is that these children are often destined to endure a life-time of poverty, diminished mental health, and involvement in the Criminal Justice System as both juveniles and adults.

As I stated at the beginning of this article, I chose this subject because my heart hurts when I see our young children, especially our black sons, walking these streets on a daily basis, not going to school and getting into trouble.

These are the same young people what already face so many obstacles in life, and not.

Annie Green/Childcare Director - guest columnist

GUEST COLUMN – School Absenteeism and its effects on our children

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GUEST COLUMN – School Absenteeism and its effects on our children

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