Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to testify in support of SB 5007, a bill aimed at addressing chronic absenteeism in schools. Chronic absenteeism is an important issue that affects students for many reasons including transportation challenges, housing instability, family responsibilities, and other circumstances beyond their control. When students miss too many days, they can quickly fall behind, feel disconnected, and struggle to catch up. Without intervention, these absences can lead to lower graduation rates and fewer opportunities for success.
SB 5007 attempts to provide targeted support for students facing chronic absenteeism by giving schools resources so they can identify at-risk students early and intervene with the necessary actions. This bill prioritizes tracking attendance patterns, understanding the underlying causes of absenteeism, and implementing strategies to keep students engaged. By addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism, SB 5007 seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable education system that supports every student’s path to success.
During the hearing, I had the opportunity to share my perspective as both a high school and community college student. I spoke on how absences can quickly snowball into a larger issue and how students often feel overwhelmed when trying to catch up. I also emphasized the importance of providing students with the resources they need to stay on track rather than penalizing them for circumstances beyond their control.
I was fortunate to work with Bill Belden, a workforce education policy associate, who offered great advice while preparing my testimony. One of the biggest things I learned from Bill was how important it is to focus on the emotional side of the issue, not just the facts and statistics. He helped me understand that while facts are crucial, it’s the personal stories and emotional connections that really resonate with people and drive them to act. This is something I plan to apply in my testimonies and advocacy later.
After the hearing, I spoke with a reporter covering the bill to continue the discussion around this important issue. By engaging with the media, I was able to extend the conversation beyond just policymakers, but to the broader public which can create momentum for positive change. Seeing SB 5007 gain traction and attention past the hearing reinforced how policy can create real change in student’s lives.
This bill represents an important step in making sure that students receive the support they need to remain engaged in their education. As I continue my internship, I plan to further explore how policy initiatives like SB 5007 can create a more equitable education system. This is important to me because I believe that all students, regardless of their background, should have the same opportunities to succeed. I hope to help create a system where everyone is supported in reaching their fullest potential. I am grateful for the opportunity to advocate for students and look forward to seeing the impact of this bill as the legislative process continues.
