AKRON, Ohio—Reviewing homeschooling notification packets is just one responsibility Dr. Wanda Lash has in her new role at Akron Public Schools.

What You Need To Know

  • Children's Defense Fund-Ohio reports a 76% increase in absenteeism
  • The group calculated data from the Ohio Department of Education from 2019 to 2022, excluding 2020
  • Akron Public Schools are finding ways to keep kids in the classroom through incentives programs

“So, families that choose to educate their students at home have to notify the school district in which they live," Lash said. "There are certain criteria or certain things that they may have to do to be in compliance with the state.

As the Director of Student and Family Services, she oversees a department that manages enrollment and engagement.

“Setting expectation, teaching expectation, building culture and social, emotional learning, those kinds of things,” Lash said.

This includes finding ways to keep students in school. Using information provided by the Ohio Department of Education, the Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio reports a 76% increase in chronic absenteeism between 2019 and 2022. This percentage does not include 2020.

“There were a lot of absences on top of what would have traditionally been absences, or a lot of additional absences added on there, because of the pandemic,” Lash said.

Data from the district shows that absenteeism is also on the rise in Akron.  It’s a trend that Lash said she’s trying to reduce by getting some incentives programs on the calendar.

“We have a partnership with the Cleveland Browns Foundation[’s] "Stay in the Game! [Network] campaign. So that partnership offers us to be able to provide opportunities to students that might not have had otherwise,” Lash said.

Lash added that parents also play a crucial role in keeping their kids in the classroom.

“Parents can stress the importance of being at school every day on time, going to bed on time, of course, at a decent hour to be well-rested and ready for school,” Lash said.

However, the responsibility ultimately comes down to the student.

“The benefits for students attending school are far and wide, right?” Lash said. “Think about the relationships that you establish when you are talking with your friends and teachers. The caring adults who are in your corner, the work ethic, getting to school every day on time, being into the habit and routine because this is preparing you for life beyond school.”