More than a quarter of Minnesota’s middle and high school students miss at least ten percent of the school year — which is about 18 days.

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about chronic absenteeism — why it matters, who it impacts and what we can do to boost school attendance.

Guests:

• Kent Pekel, superintendent of Rochester Public Schools. He is also the former president and CEO of the Search Institute, a nonprofit that promotes positive youth development and advances equity through research and practical solutions.
• Jim Davnie, executive director of Minnesota Alliance With Youth, a statewide nonprofit that provides AmeriCorps programs focused on youth mentoring and support. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 22 years and is a former middle school social studies teacher.

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.