The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on education in this country. More than three years after COVID first appeared in the U.S. and disrupted in-person classes, research still hasn’t concluded all the ways students were affected.

One thing we do know – chronic absenteeism has increased substantially. In some states more than others.

Chronic absenteeism may lead to a student quitting school altogether. However dropout rates seemed to have held steady.

In Pennsylvania that means 86% of students get their high school diplomas. But what about the other 14% who do drop out.

Communities in Schools Pennsylvania is an organization that works to prevent school dropouts.

With us on The Spark Wednesday was Lyndsey Sturkey, Vice President of Communities in Schools Pennsylvania, who described what Communities in Schools does to keep students in school,"We're working with our students one on one in these schools, in addition to students who may be struggling with attendance, we also speak with students about their academics as well. So if we see someone struggling, we can reach out to them and say, hey, what's going on? Is it a problem with the teacher or is it the subject matter that you're not understanding? What can we do to help you start to do better in these classes? You can advance to the next grade even if your ultimate plans are not to go to college. That's totally fine. Let's talk about things that you are interested in so that we can make sure that we can find an avenue for you after you graduate. We really try to stress to our students that regardless of what they decide to do after graduation, having that diploma is really key to moving forward in their life and thriving and succeeding."

Sturkey said there are other factors that lead to kids dropping out,"The COVID 19 pandemic has certainly exacerbated (the factors). But with the students that we're working with, we're seeing that they're dealing with a lot of housing instability. We're seeing a lot of transportation issues. We're seeing food insecurity. And all of those things are making it a lot harder for kids to get to school."

Sturkey was asked who is dropping out,"I think the data shows that this is disproportionately affecting Black and Latino students. But again, it's all students."

What are the students told about why it's important they get a diploma,"You could see not having a stable career. A few had dreams of perhaps leaving the area. You may not be able to do that if you don't if you've not graduated, if you don't allow yourself to dream big. And of all the possibilities that come with getting a diploma and moving forward in life, it could be kind of just continuing on in the same life that you've experienced before where it's the the crushing weight and burden of financial instability, not having a stable home. Not knowing where your next meal is coming from, not feeling that you have adequate clothing or housing. I mean, all of that can just continue if if we're kind of just going along in the same pattern."

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