TOLEDO, Ohio-Ohio House Bill 348 proposes a pilot program to reduce absenteeism by paying students to attend school. The program would target one urban and one rural school with chronic absenteeism issues. Parents of kindergarten and ninth-grade students would receive $50 per month if their child attends at least 90% of the school year.
There’s also an incentive for high school graduates. While some, like Michael Carter, see potential benefits for struggling families, State Rep. Josh Williams opposes the bill, questioning the need for incentives. Co-sponsored by Dani Issacsohn and Bill Seitz, the bill aims to curb absenteeism, potentially saving money on youth services and juvenile detention. Toledo Public Schools had a chronic absenteeism rate of 42% in 2022-23. The bill awaits introduction in the Ohio House and, if passed, would be implemented by the Department of Education and Workforce after schools submit applications.
