Kids involved with child protective services miss much more school than their peers
Across the country, kids are settling into new school-year routines. Parents buy backpacks, teachers arrange desks and lesson plans, and friends reconnect. But in recent years, empty chairs are becoming a more common sight—especially in classrooms where students are already facing the most adversity.
Recent research from The Ohio State University indicates that children with contact with Child Protective Services (CPS) miss more school than their peers. The study, published in Children and Youth Services Review, found that these students were more likely to be absent for both excused and unexcused reasons, and teachers were 14 percentage points more likely to contact their families about attendance issues.
The findings, based on data from 3,334 adolescents across 20 urban cities, highlight the adverse effects of CPS contact on school attendance, which can have long-term consequences for educational attainment, career opportunities, and economic mobility. While school connectedness was found to be a factor in the attendance gap, it alone does not fully address the issues faced by students with CPS contact.
The research emphasizes the need for a broader approach to support these children, addressing issues such as housing instability, food insecurity, and mental and physical health disparities associated with poverty.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
