A new poll suggests parents should literally pay the price for their children’s chronic absenteeism.
More than half of New Yorkers (52%) support fining parents for 10 or more absences, according to a survey of 3,000 parents statewide by online education company Test Prep Insights.
The average fine was $22.
For the 44% of respondents who opposed fines, concerns centred on potential unfairness towards people from poor socio-economic backgrounds, the survey said.
Seventy percent of respondents believe that schools and authorities should provide additional support to underperforming students, while 20% argue for financial incentives for improved attendance and 10% suggest increased communication with parents to address absenteeism.
In New York City, 4 out of 10 studentsAbout 353,000 students were chronically absent last school year (2021-2022), The Washington Post previously reported.
Nationwide, the figure is 22%.
