Tulsa Public Schools targets chronic absenteeism with new policy

With summer nearing its halfway mark, Tulsa Public Schools is already rolling out plans to combat chronic absenteeism in the upcoming academic year.

Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson announced new measures aimed at improving attendance across the district, warning that students who miss more than 10% of the school year could face serious consequences, including being held back a grade.

In addition to possible grade retention, chronically absent students may also lose their transfer privileges to magnet or specialty schools and could be barred from participating in sports or extracurricular activities.

As part of the district’s strategy, TPS will launch a new committee this fall. The committee will evaluate students with excessive absences and work to provide interventions and support.

The district says it hopes the new policy will reduce chronic absenteeism and keep more students on track for academic success.