On May 12, 2025, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee held a public hearing in Harrisburg to address rising student truancy and chronic absenteeism. Testimony came from a broad range of professionals, including a representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the American Enterprise Institute, school counselors and administrators, magisterial district judges, and an Allegheny County Human Services official.
The American Enterprise Institute urged lawmakers to adopt flexible, data-driven policies tailored to the needs of local communities. The Pennsylvania Department of Education emphasized the role of poverty, mental health, and housing instability in absenteeism, calling for early intervention and stronger community support.
Magisterial judges advised against punitive truancy enforcement, recommending rehabilitative, collaborative approaches instead. School counselors and administrators shared promising practices such as attendance improvement plans and mentoring, stressing the importance of family engagement. The Allegheny County official highlighted the success of cross-sector partnerships that connect education with health and social services.
Lawmakers expressed a bipartisan commitment to use the testimony as a foundation for new legislative efforts aimed at addressing truancy and absenteeism in Pennsylvania. The Keystone Teachers Association hopes these efforts will prioritize student support and ensure that all children have the opportunity to attend school consistently and thrive.
