Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Lawmakers Seek to Address California's 'Truancy Crisis'

  •  Katie Orr 
Monday, March 10, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Office of Attorney General Kamala Harris
 

Office of Attorney General Kamala Harris

Skipping school can mean a lot more for students than just failing a test. California Attorney General Kamala Harris says it can cause kids to fall behind and ultimately drop out of high school.

Harris joined state lawmakers in introducing a package of legislation designed to curb truancy among elementary school students. She says showing up in class is critical to a student’s future success.

“If a child, at the end of third grade, is not at reading level, they are four times more likely than other students to be a high school dropout," Harris says.

Harris’ office estimates one million elementary students are truant each year, with a quarter of those missing at least 18 days of school. Truant students cost school districts more than $1 billion a year in lost state funds.

Among other things, the bills would help districts comply with truancy tracking requirements and work with parents to address causes of truancy.

 AP783106299533-Truance

Attorney General Kamala Harris shakes hands with Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, one of the lawmakers who is carrying a bill that Harris is backing to help reduce truancy in state schools following a Capitol news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, March 10, 2014. The bills would write into law recommendations from a report done by Harris' office that would require school districts and the state to do a better job of tracking students who miss class. Harris said the legislation would help officials find ways to get truant students back in school. Also seen are Sen. William Monning, D-Carmel, left, and Assembly members Isadore Hall, D-Compton, second from left, Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, third from left, and Raul Bocanegra, D-Los Angeles, third from left, who are all carrying other pieces of the bill package. Rich Pedroncelli / AP

Related Stories

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    Sacramento City schools superintendent discusses vaccine mandate for the district

    October 21, 2021

    Superintendent Jorge Aguilar called the vaccine requirement “a path forward to keeping our schools open.” The mandate takes effect Nov. 30, seven months before the state requirement begins.

  • AP Photo/Denis Poroy

    California education leaders discuss Black student disparities

    October 15, 2021

    The state superintendent, other officials look at challenges, solutions to creating equity for all students and families.

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    Sacramento City Unified Parents Frustrated With District’s Independent Study Program

    September 13, 2021

    Roughly 1,600 students at Sacramento City Unified schools have chosen to continue learning at home through the pandemic. But most of the kids remain without teacher assignments, and parents say the district has left many questions unanswered.

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    California To Require Teachers, Staff Be Vaccinated Or Tested For COVID-19

    August 11, 2021

    California will require that all teachers and school staff be vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19, becoming the first state to impose such measures ahead of the new school year.

  • A.V. Benford / CapRadio

    Sacramento City Teacher’s Use Of N-Word Sparks Debate About Anti-Racist Training

    July 15, 2021

    A Sacramento City school teacher was recorded using racial slurs in the classroom. But one question from organizers still lingers: In a district that has mandatory anti-bias training for teachers, how could this incident happen?

 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 educationcapitol

Katie Orr

Former Health Care Reporter

Katie Orr reported for Capital Public Radio News through December 2015.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

June 24, 2022

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo

With Roe v. Wade overturned, will California’s universities become safe havens for out-of-state students?

June 26, 2022

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File

What the Supreme Court ruling means for the EPA's ability to fight climate change

June 30, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

California coronavirus updates: FDA advisors recommend new formulation for COVID-19 booster shots

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

California coronavirus updates: FDA advisors recommend new formulation for COVID-19 booster shots

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.