LOUISVILLE, KY – Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), Kentucky’s largest and most diverse District, is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for every student, every year, and is proactively addressing the national challenge of chronic absenteeism. Today, at a joint press conference with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, JCPS announced positive results, alongside a clear commitment to legal accountability.
"Last school year, we lowered our chronic absenteeism rate in JCPS to 33%, a reduction of 5% compared to two years ago," JCPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood said. While acknowledging 33% is still too high, Dr. Yearwood said this proves the District is moving in the right direction, with the ultimate goal of getting the rate as low as possible.
The District's strategy focuses on communication, support, and accountability.
Communication: Last school year, the District sent families more than 4.5 million text messages about attendance.
Support: JCPS is actively working to remove barriers like transportation and health concerns by using dedicated teams for phone calls and home visits.
Partnerships: The District expanded its truancy diversion program and leveraged key partners, such as Evolve502, to offer resources as alternatives to formal legal proceedings.
Under state law (HB 611 in 2024), the District is required to report guardians to the County Attorney if a child has 15 or more unexcused absences.
Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell explained that the joint goal is always to ensure every child receives their education. “Ensuring children take advantage of a quality education is a key component to breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty,” he said. “Regular school attendance is essential to students gaining the academic and social skills they need to succeed.”
The County Attorney's office focuses its intervention efforts on children in grades K-5, as students of this age need an adult's assistance to get to school regularly. The office's actions last school year included:
Reviewing more than 4,000 referrals of K-5 students with excessive absence and then sending 1,236 letters to guardians of K-5 students.
Criminal cases are active in court against 32 guardians to date, who were unmoved by the interventions, resources, and referrals. The average number of unexcused absences in these charged cases was 47.
Pursuing charges of a Class A misdemeanor: Unlawful Transaction with a Minor in the Third Degree (KRS 530.070), which is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 365 days in jail.
“To every parent and guardian in Jefferson County: we need you as partners in this work,” Dr. Yearwood urged. “If you are struggling with attendance, please reach out. We are ready to help remove the obstacles.”