South Carolina tackles growing chronic absenteeism in schools [Video]

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Researchers, schools, and parents are discussing how to combat a growing trend in South Carolina schools: chronic absenteeism. 

A new report from the Education Oversight Committee includes a report from a focus group of students to understand the causes behind these absences and potential solutions.

Making sure kids go to school can get more difficult as they get older, says Sha’Nay Parker, a mother of four. She says her kids don’t struggle with absences, but she makes it her responsibility to ensure they attend school.

“My daughter told me, ‘Mom, school is just boring, and we do everything on a computer. She doesn’t see the value in physically going to school when she can just log into Google Classroom to do her work,” Parker explained.

The Department of Education …