North Carolina schools would test tools to address chronic absences

The Department of Public Instruction would choose one public school unit and its schools for the pilot. The pilot would operate in one public school unit and its selected schools. Any public school unit may apply. The pilot may cover no more than 15,000 students. Selected schools must reflect varied student backgrounds and school settings; the Department must prioritize schools with above-average chronic absenteeism and consider readiness, staffing, and ability to meet deadlines. The pilot would run during the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 fiscal years. The Department would choose the school unit by September 1, 2026.

The Department, selected school unit, schools, and vendor would work together to set up an attendance support system. The selected school unit and its schools would work with the vendor. The Department would choose a vendor by September 15, 2026. The system would include attendance alerts, two-way family messages, support workflows for students at risk, staff dashboards, recordkeeping, and privacy safeguards. The selected unit and schools would use one student information system and train staff to use the system and its support strategies. Work to set up the system would begin no later than January 1, 2027.

The Department would receive $75,000 for the pilot and report its results to lawmakers. The Department would report on attendance, student engagement, staff efficiency, and possible next steps for the pilot. The money could pay for technology, setup, training, administration, and evaluation. The Department could contract with the vendor or give the money to the selected school unit to contract. The Department and school unit could add eligible federal or charitable funding. The money would be available for the 2026–2027 fiscal year and remain available through June 30, 2028. The Department would report by February 1, 2028.