Pointe Coupee Parish is confronting a significant educational challenge as a new analysis reveals it has the highest student truancy rate in Louisiana. According to the Public Affairs Research Council, approximately two out of every three students in the parish are considered truant, a figure that highlights a growing statewide problem since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, district officials are implementing a series of measures, including partnerships with law enforcement and daily attendance monitoring, to address the high number of student absences and re-engage families in the educational process.
Key Takeaways
- Pointe Coupee Parish has the highest student truancy rate in Louisiana, with about 67% of its students frequently missing school.
- A statewide analysis indicates that truancy rates in Louisiana have risen to approximately 40% post-pandemic.
- The district has partnered with the sheriff's office, dedicating a full-time deputy to address truancy through home visits.
- Superintendent Kim Canezaro is requiring daily attendance reports from principals and calls for increased parental involvement.
The Scope of the Attendance Problem
A recent study by the Public Affairs Research Council has brought attention to a sharp increase in student absenteeism across Louisiana. The report found that statewide truancy now affects roughly 40% of students. The state defines a student as truant if they accumulate five or more unexcused absences within a single semester.
Pointe Coupee Parish stands out in this analysis with the most severe rates in the state. The data indicates that two-thirds of its student body meets the criteria for truancy, a situation that school officials describe as deeply concerning.
By the Numbers
In Pointe Coupee Parish, approximately 2 out of every 3 students are considered truant, meaning they have five or more unexcused absences per semester. This is significantly higher than the statewide average of 40%.
Superintendent Kim Canezaro acknowledged the severity of the issue, confirming that the numbers are notably higher than they were before the pandemic. She expressed the district's concern over the impact of missed classroom time on student learning.
“That’s very disheartening, because we as educators know that we need children in classrooms with the teachers, because so much instruction takes place that they miss when they're not present,” Superintendent Canezaro stated.
District Implements Multi-Faceted Response
In response to the alarming statistics, the Pointe Coupee school district has initiated several strategies aimed at improving student attendance. These efforts involve collaboration with both local law enforcement and state education authorities to create a more robust system for tracking and intervention.
Partnership with Law Enforcement
A key component of the district's strategy is a partnership with the Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office. This collaboration has resulted in a dedicated, full-time deputy assigned specifically to truancy cases.
“His sole purpose is to help us fight truancy,” Canezaro explained. “He does home visits, those kinds of things.” This direct outreach is intended to connect with families and identify the root causes of student absences.
State-Level Support and School Policies
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is also providing support. According to Canezaro, this includes an attendance specialist who works directly with the district to guide its efforts. The state has mandated new protocols for all schools to follow, including:
- Attendance Review Teams: Each school is required to establish a team dedicated to reviewing attendance data and developing intervention plans.
- Student Watch Lists: Schools must maintain a watch list for students who have already reached three unexcused absences to enable early intervention.
Defining Truancy in Louisiana
The state of Louisiana officially defines truancy as a student having five or more unexcused absences in a school semester. This definition is the standard used by districts to identify students who require intervention and support services to improve their attendance.
To ensure the issue remains a top priority, Superintendent Canezaro has implemented a daily reporting system. “So what I've done as a superintendent, I'm making the administrators report to me every day with their daily attendance,” she said. “I need it to be something that they’re focusing on as administrators for their school.”
Addressing Data Accuracy and Parental Roles
Amid the district's response, questions regarding the accuracy of attendance reporting have been raised. Sources suggested that Livonia High School may not have been accurately reporting its absences last year. Superintendent Canezaro firmly denied this claim.
“That’s not true, because we have to report this to the state,” she clarified. Canezaro pointed out that the data itself confirms the reporting is happening. “Our highest school with the highest truancy is Livonia High School. So it’s being reported.”
While the district and its partners are taking concrete steps, Canezaro emphasized that a lasting solution requires active participation from parents and guardians. She stressed that the school system cannot solve the truancy problem on its own and made a direct appeal to families.
“We need the parental support on the other end,” she said. “We need parents to value education, to say when my child’s not at school, they’re missing some valuable instructional time.”
The district's strategy combines accountability, intervention, and a call for a renewed community-wide commitment to ensuring students are present and engaged in the classroom.
