| Releases
& Statements
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
October 21, 2008
Contact: Sarah Krauss
212.669.4193; 917.541.0936
Public Advocate Gotbaum on High Absence Rate in Schools
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, "The DOE plays hooky when it comes to a strong absenteeism policy. They are placing the blame on principals, but I go to schools all over the city, and I see principals who are trying hard to address the problem head-on. They want to lower the absenteeism rates at their schools, but they can't do it without institutional support from the DOE.
The DOE must do more to increase attendance monitors in high-need communities and provide resources and logistical support to help schools deal with language barriers when trying to reach parents and students at non-english speaking homes. And more should be done to help principals find creative solutions like working with CBOs that know the community and expanding school-based health care, so kids aren't missing full days of school for a doctor visit."
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