NYC schools set to deploy truancy cops as 33% of students are chronically absent

New York City schools are set to deploy attendance cops to combat their ongoing chronic absenteeism epidemic.Some 33% of NYC students were chronically absent in the 2024-25 school year, meaning they missed at least 10% of classes, according to the most recent data available.The “school avoidance liaisons” are full-time school employees such as teachers, guidance counselors, administrators or social workers who will work with parents of kids refusing to come to school, per DOE documents obtained by The Post.They won’t be paid extra for their new roles.They’re tasked with intervening with the families of at-risk students early and connecting them with mental health and other resources offered by the school to try to bring them back into the classroom.Principals will have to submit their choice for the role as part of their consolidated plan by Sept.

30, per the documents.School-avoidant behaviors are often linked to disability or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.A whopping 43% of disabled students were chronically absent in the 2024-2025 school year,Education watchdogs blasted the city for allowing the chronic absenteeism crisis to balloon into a years-long epidemic that would require these liaisons in the first place.“The uptick in chronic absenteeism over the last few years has reached crisis proportions.

Schools need to get creative in addressing the problem,” Craig Slutzkin, treasurer of Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum and Education, an NYC pro-merit group, said.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story.The school avoidance liaisons were established as part of an agreement following a 2024 class-action lawsuit launched by families of chronically absent disabled students, alleging that city schools didn’t have the resources t...