The renewal of the Commonwealth’s chronic absenteeism campaign aims to stop students from missing large amounts of school.
The campaign includes online resources for parents and educators to help foster a sense of student belonging in the classroom. The renewed push for attendance in Kentucky schools also has a new slogan: You Belong!
Robbie Fletcher, Commissioner of Education, said the slogan reflects the idea that all students should feel included.
“Our new campaign works on the phrase You Belong! because we want every single student to feel like they belong within our classrooms,” said Fletcher.
The slogan will be advertised across 38 billboards in Kentucky as well as on YouTube, audio streaming platforms, on public transit and venues such as Rupp Arena, The Kentucky Exposition Center, and the KFC Yum! Center.
Fletcher said he hopes the ads will be seen by parents and students all over the Commonwealth.
“Hopefully as you’re driving through and you’re passing through some of the neighborhoods or on the interstate or any of our towns you’ll begin to see more and more of these advertisements telling students that you belong,” said Fletcher.
According to the department of education almost 30 percent of all students were chronically absent during the 2022-2023 school year. KDE defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10 percent or more of yearly school time. That amounts to approximately two days a month for excused or unexcused reasons throughout the school year.
The Kentucky Department identifies causes of chronic absenteeism such as lack of engagement in the classroom, negative school experiences like bullying, barriers like illness or lack of healthcare, and misconceptions regarding the effects of absenteeism.
KDE aims to reduce absenteeism by creating meaningful family and community engagement, increasing school connectedness for students, and improving the quality of school life.