Chicago officials try to tackle K-8 grade truancy crisis

Chicago officials try to tackle K-8 grade truancy crisis by Gary Marx and David Jackson

To read this article on the Chicago Tribune website, click here.

Top Chicago school authorities are working on new strategies to address the city’s crushing pattern of elementary grade absenteeism and truancy.

Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett is hoping to build on initiatives that have shown success in Baltimore, New York City and elsewhere, top aide Aarti Dhupelia said at the first meeting of the state’s new elementary truancy task force Friday.

“This is a priority for us,” Dhupelia told the three dozen educators and officials at the meeting. “We see this as an ‘it takes a village’ issue. We can’t tackle this alone.”