Governor McKee to Participate in White House Summit on Chronic Absenteeism

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, Governor Dan McKee, joined by Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, will participate in the “Every Day Counts Summit: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Increasing Student Engagement” hosted by the White House. The event will feature senior officials from the Biden-Harris Administration – including U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona – as well as state and local leaders, educators and policymakers.

“Improving student attendance is not only a key part of our administration’s Learn365RI initiative, but it’s crucial for our state’s economic growth and helping Rhode Islanders achieve a bright future,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Biden-Harris Administration, as well as our students and families, to find creative solutions and ways to increase attendance in the classroom. Rhode Island is proud to share our student attendance strategies on a national stage.”

“I am honored to join Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, Governor McKee, and guests from across the country to share our state’s successes through #AtttendanceMattersRI and learn from others at the Every Day Counts Summit,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “From new and enhanced data dashboards as well as attendance teams to updated policy and legislation, we are tremendously proud of the collective efforts underway in Rhode Island to reduce chronic absenteeism and improve student outcomes. This national recognition serves as a powerful testament to the dedication and hard work of our educators, families, and communities in prioritizing student attendance and ensuring all students receive the education and support they need to succeed.”

The summit, which will be available via livestream, will highlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to increase student attendance and engagement and help students come to school every day. Viewers will hear from state and local leaders representing school districts from across the United States who are making progress to address chronic absenteeism and increase student engagement through evidence-based strategies.

During the event, Governor McKee will speak about Rhode Island’s work to raise awareness of the impact of chronic absenteeism and promote strong school attendance through the #AttendanceMattersRI campaign and Learn365RI initiative.

In Rhode Island, approximately 93 percent of schools are currently reporting fewer students chronically absent or on track to be chronically absent compared to the same time last year. As of April, Rhode Island schools reported more than 250,000 fewer absences this school year compared to the same time last year.