Students who are chronically absent, missing 10% of school days in a year, are at greater risk of falling behind or even dropping out.
According to available data from New York state, about one and three students are missing too much time in the classroom.
What You Need To Know
Students who are chronically absent, missing 10% of school days in a year, are at greater risk of falling behind or even dropping out
According to available data from New York state, about one and three students are missing too much time in the classroom
One man is passing on the lessons he learn from missing years of school after a disciplinary issue changed the course of his academic experience
It can be hard to see how everyday actions, especially when you’re young, will impact your life.
That’s why one man is passing on the lessons he learn from missing years of school after a disciplinary issue changed the course of his academic experience.
“I was in juvie and I went to Proctor and they put me in special education. I actually was able to get my grades up immediately, to be able to go back in the population. As soon as I went back in population, I got in trouble, and I was expelled out of school,” said Robert “Luca” Lucas, the founder of Voice of Da Voiceless — a nonprofit advocating for support for incarcerated individuals, their loved ones and the youth.
From being expelled to teaching, today we find Luca helping students.
After years behind bars, he founded Voice of Da Voiceless. One of his missions is to encourage kids to stay in school.
“Me not going to school made me have to deal with a lot of blocked roads and lack of interpretation where I was angry about something, where somebody was actually in the right, trying to get me to understand something, and my brain wasn’t able to let me understand it,” Luca said.
His “Carefully Organizing Redirecting Youth,” or CORY Program, meets weekly.
The reward-based program gives kids a chance to learn new life skills, build self-esteem, make friends, and be inspired to make the right choices every day.
“This program is teaching me self-respect and motivation to stay in school and keep my head up and have more confidence in myself,” said student Xavier Heyward.
“I think it’s like it’s going to help people stay out of the streets and not do inappropriate things,” said student Kemaira Brown.
Students who are chronically absent are up to four times more likely to drop out of high school, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The effort goes a long way in helping students reach their dreams.
“I want to be a sports analyst because I’m really into sports,” said student Cole Robinson.
“I want to be a lawyer,” said student Florentino Gonzalez.
The state Education Department also emphasizes that high attendance rates are dependent on both sanctions and incentives.
They encourage teachers to use “rewards” including homework passes, extra time on computers and in the gym or coupons for treats to spur students on.