Keep Kids in School Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a new federal grant program flowing through states to local school districts, aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism in public K-12 schools. States with the worst attendance problems or the most vulnerable students get first priority for funding.
• Chronic absenteeism is defined broadly to include any student missing 10% or more of school days in a year, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused.
• Schools can spend the grant money on hiring counselors, mental health professionals, social workers, and family liaisons. Funds also cover teacher home visits, school bus transportation, and data tracking to understand why kids are missing class.
• The Government Accountability Office must conduct a national study on chronic absenteeism and report back to Congress within one year on what evidence-based strategies work best to keep kids in school and improve their well-being.
• Local school districts that receive funding must report back to their state within three years on whether the money actually helped reduce absenteeism at supported schools. States then pass those reports to the Department of Education.