North Carolina

Number of chronically absent students has doubled in North Carolina since the COVID-19 pandemic

Published

12 months ago

August 11, 2023

Number of chronically absent students has doubled in North Carolina since the COVID-19 pandemic

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The number of North Carolina students who are missing a lot of school has doubled since the pandemic.

Nearly a third of North Carolina students were chronically absent during the 2021-22 school year. Before the pandemic, only 15% were chronically absent during the 2018-19 school year, according to data analyzed by the Associated Press (AP).

A child is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more days of school.

SEE ALSO | Thousands of NC students remain ‘unaccounted for’ after pandemic, state using money to locate them

A recent analysis released by the Associated Press and Stanford University found this is a nationwide trend with 6.5 million more children becoming chronically absent between the 2018 and 2021 school years.

The national analysis found absentees increased for every state in that time period and in seven states that rate doubled. The percentage of chronically absent students in North Carolina ranks 13th among states. Unfortunately, many school districts reported an even higher percentage of students missing excessive amounts of school.

Ultimately, this increase in students missing school means increased learning loss along with a lack of access to support and emotional and social growth.

“Social, emotional, being able to work with other humans, being able to just be in community is a really important thing when we’re talking about kids being in school,” said Turquoise Parker, a DPS Elementary teacher.

She said she’s experienced an increase in absences from her own students.

Durham Public Schools had a higher percentage of students who were chronically absent than the state average. In the 2021-22 school year, 41% of DPS students were considered chronically absent.

“Those students are also experiencing other social challenges and sometimes school is the safest place either in the community or even in the students’ circle of trust. So we try to make sure families and communities know that when a child is not in school, they are missing many of the social and emotional support and mental health supports that can be made available to families,” said Dr. Laverne Mattocks-Perry, the lead of DPS Student Support Services.

Mattocks-Perry said worsening economic conditions, increased housing insecurity and mental health challenges have contributed to more students missing class.

“They’re also missing an opportunity to build strong relationships with their peers. And most importantly, they’re missing days of instruction. And our goal is to make sure students are prepared to have options after graduation,” she said.

Parker also said she believes bus driver shortages and redistricting have impacted absences within DPS.

That percentage was even higher for Black and Hispanic students. About half of the students who are economically disadvantaged were chronically absent. English learners and students with disabilities also reported some of the highest rates of absenteeism.

“Some communities of students who have additional challenges tend to also have challenges with absenteeism,” Mattocks-Perry said.

Mattocks-Perry said outreach to those absent students has become more challenging. She said reversing this trend comes down to parent engagement and building strong relationships with the community.

“We have a very in-depth process that begins, of course, with classroom teachers and other attendance teams at the school level. However, that school social worker oftentimes has access to resources as well as specific skills that can help in tracking down students and families who are a part of what we call chronic absenteeism,” she explained.

Cumberland County Schools reported similar rates with 40% of students chronically absent last school year. Wake County Public Schools reported 23% of students as chronically absent during the 2021-22 school year.

The percentage of absences was higher for Latino, Black, low-income students, and students with disabilities across all districts.

Parker is concerned about the impacts if these rates are not reversed soon.

“We’re going to continue in this cycle of our students being in some serious having some serious deficits. And that’s hard to catch up with,” she said.

You can check your school’s chronic absentee rate here.

North Carolina has a goal of cutting the percentage of chronically absent students down to 11% by 2030, according to My Future NC.

Source link

Click to comment

North Carolina

Tropical Storm Debby expected to bring rainfall to Virginia & North Carolina

Published

2 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Storm Debby expected to bring rainfall to Virginia & North Carolina

Tropical Storm Debby already has parts of Florida under tropical storm warnings. The Florida Big Bend is currently under a Hurricane Warning. Debby is forecast to briefly strengthen into a category 1 hurricane as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico where water temperatures are near 90 degrees.

As it continues its path over land it is expected to dial back to tropical storm strength as it reaches the Carolinas mid to late next week. Moderate rainfall is possible for northeast North Carolina and southern Virginia by the end of the week.

Higher amounts of rain are possible for southernmost portions of the Outer Banks but generally models show 2-4 inches for northeast North Carolina and 1-2 inches for southern Virginia through Thursday.

Stay with News 3’s First Warning Weather Team for the latest updates as the storm develops.

Source link

North Carolina

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

Published

9 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical depression over Cuba. It’s expected to become a tropical storm later Saturday, bringing impacts to the Carolinas around the middle of next week.

Heavy rainfall and flooding are the primary impacts expected, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

“Gusty winds are also possible, but it is too early to predict specific impacts in great detail at this time,” the weather service said.

At the same time, there is the potential for heavy rainfall and some flooding associated with front expected to stall inland this weekend.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the center of the tropical depression, which would be name Debby if it becomes a tropical storm, was over Cuba and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. The hurricane center said a turn toward the northwest is forecast for Saturday, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastwardmotion Sunday night and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph. Slow strengthening is expected throughout the day Saturday. Faster strengthening is possible Sunday, with the storm nearing hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

STORM TRACKER: Monitor the latest tropical developments here.

Here’s a look at what we can expect in the Wilmington area, according to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Wind

The probability of tropical storm force winds has increased, especially for the South Carolina coast. The most likely time of arrival of for northeast South Carolina is Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and for Southeastern North Carolina is during Wednesday morning.

Rain

The potential for significant rainfall exists with 8 to 12 inches possible from near Cape Fear to portions of thenortheast South Carolina coast. Flash flooding and urban flooding are possible. Some rivers, including the North Cape Fear River and the Waccamaw River, could exceed flood stage next week.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Enter your address to see hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed nearby

Marine impacts

Rough surf, including dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions are expected this weekend and will persist into the upcoming week.

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the NC coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.

GET READY: Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here’s what to know if you live in the Wilmington area.

Source link

North Carolina

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

Published

16 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

As of the 5 AM update Friday, Tropical Depression Four has formed. Areas along the East Coast including North Carolina need to continue monitoring this system. Winds are at 30 MPH and gusts are up to 40 MPH. The pressure dropped to 1009 mb and is moving to the west at 16 mph. TD 4 is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby over the weekend. Tuesday night and Wednesday are First Alert Weather Days due to the threat to ENC from this system but we may need to adjust the timing as we get closer.

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center continues to show ENC in the cone of uncertainty.(WITN)

It’ll move slowly before escaping to the north next week. As it moves up the East Coast, there’s a lot more uncertainty about the track and threats. We expect the track of this system to change through the weekend and even into next week. If ENC sees impacts from this system, they’d likely come mid-week. The longer this system stays over land, the weaker it’ll be. It’ll have the chance to strengthen if it moves back over open water, especially if it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

Storms are possible Saturday through Monday as a developing tropical system gets closer.(WITN)

The speed of this system is just as important as the strength. The quicker it moves through, the less rain piles up. If it slows down or stalls, higher rainfall amounts would be expected. Our river levels have dropped a bit since July’s wet weather, but levels are still higher than what you’d find in a typical August.