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 socia...
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