Title
Mr. Schmerelson - September 2026 as Child Welfare and Attendance Month (Res-004-26/27)
description
Whereas, The Compulsory Education Act was enacted in 1903, and the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District (District) appointed the first Attendance Officer to enforce compliance with the compulsory attendance mandate, creating the Pupil Services and Attendance Division;
Whereas, In our schools, Child Welfare & Attendance Counselors are called Pupil Services and Attendance Counselors (PSAs) to focus on children’s safety and well-being, strengthening families by providing direct services and referrals, and reconnecting youth to schools;
Whereas, Chronic absenteeism in the District decreased from 29.5% for school year 2024-25 to 27.7% for school year 2025-26, still above pre-pandemic levels; meanwhile, average daily attendance rates increased slightly from 92.2% to 92.6% from school year 2024-25 to 2025-26;
Whereas, PSAs conduct assessments to identify issues that may impact attendance and barriers to learning, to facilitate linkages to services that meet the needs of the whole child while simultaneously integrating multi-tiered interventions to promote overall wellness of the family, to address absenteeism, truancy, and to support students of culturally diverse populations;
Whereas, PSAs help increase graduation rates and prevent students from dropping out, allowing increased access to college pathways, linking students and families to services, and providing comprehensive services to foster and homeless youth;
Whereas, PSAs create and promote safe schools to empower LGBTQ+ students and families by providing resources, fostering self-advocacy, building resilience, and ensuring their rights;
Whereas, PSAs re-engage out-of-school youth back into an educational setting by helping parents, guardians, tutors, and other heads of households by focusing on personalized pathways to further their children's educational, personal, and social growth;
Whereas, PSAs play a pivotal role in supporting the educational journey of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students by providing tailored resources and advocacy that address both academic challenges and systemic barriers through culturally responsive interventions; and
Whereas, The Association of Pupil Services and Attendance Counselors (APSAC) has declared the last Tuesday of September as the Child Welfare and Attendance (PSA) Counselor Day; now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District hereby
declares the month of September 2026 as Child Welfare and Attendance Month and
the last Tuesday of September as the Pupil Services and Attendance Counselors Day;
Resolved further, That the Board will direct the Superintendent or a designee to provide an annual update to the Board on emerging strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism throughout the District, as well as establish goals and metrics that are publicly viewable and accessible;
Resolved further, That in the current social and political climate, immigrant families are pressured into hiding, skipping school, and forgoing social gatherings all crucial to their personal, emotional, and academic growth, the District enhance resources towards the most affected communities throughout its jurisdiction; and, be it, finally
Resolved, That the District will continue to promote attendance awareness through District websites and social media outlets, informed by the perspective of Pupil Services and Attendance Counselors, as they continue to conduct home visits, bring students back to school, and re-engage families to strengthen child welfare in our communities.