Group works to reduce chronic absenteeism exacerbated by pandemic in Grand Rapids-area schools
Updated Feb 23, 2021;
Posted Feb 22, 2021
Kent County schools are seeing a rise in chronic absenteeism as school leaders and social workers continue to track down students amid the coronavirus pandemic. (MLive file photo)
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KENT COUNTY, MI – Kathleen Feeney believes education lays the foundation for the rest of a child’s life.
That’s why the Michigan 17th Circuit Court judge has devoted the last two decades to tracking down absent students and bringing them back to the classroom.
As head of the Kent County School-Justice Partnership, Feeney leads a coalition of passionate school leaders, social workers and prosecutors who are working to reduce chronic absenteeism, defined as when students miss 10% or more of scheduled school days.