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“It’s time to treat chronic absenteeism as a community crisis” (Rochester Beacon, 11/2/26) represents the epitome of two disconnected, wealthy white men—who don’t have a clue about causes, and certainly not about potential solutions, especially and particularly as it relates to effectively addressing the long-standing, deep-seated issue and problem of chronic absenteeism in the Rochester City School District (RCSD), as well as within predominantly Black, urban school districts throughout this thoroughly racist, white-supremacist-based nation-state (in every direction – North, East, South, and West). The fact that the long-standing issue and problem is so pervasive, especially and particularly with predominantly Black urban school districts in particular – represents the main reason why we KNOW that it is not just one great big coincident, or a fluke of nature, but instead, is LARGELY the cumulative impact and result of decades, if not centuries of racist policies, practices, procedures, rules, regulation, and laws.
It’s nothing short of amazing that the gentlemen would arrive at the conclusion that a main cause of super-high absenteeism is supposedly “demise of shame and personal responsibility.” WHAT???
There is old, conclusive, research-based evidence that absolutely confirms complex causes of high absenteeism rates are attributable to multiple known main-drivers, such as “Health and Medical Needs; Health-Related Social Needs; Transportation & Logistics, and Caregiver Work Constraints.”
The two pundits also do not have a clue regarding potential, viable solutions. For example, one suggested “peer pressure (and) tying state school aid in some way to student attendance—(with with the supposed rationale being that) lower state aid translates to higher local property taxes to make up the funding shortfall. That would likely create parental peer pressure to encourage their friends to ensure their kids are in school because their truancy would drive up your property tax bill.” How silly! One does not have to be an education or financial expert—in order to understand what this illogical idea would predictably result in, i.e., further erosion of decrepit urban, public schools in particular—regarding ability to deliver quality academic, and other types of programs. And, increases in property taxes would surely be passed along to renters who compose the overwhelming majority of RCSD families (many of whom can barely afford current exorbitant rent). Thus, they would be strapped with yet another financial burden, which could very well impact absenteeism. Even the other white fellow expressed a belief that the suggestions above are illogical, but then he turned right around and suggested something just as ridiculous, i.e., tying “access to health care to some form of parental accountability for school attendance—if your child fails to attend school, you lose some health insurance coverage,” which obviously and ultimately, would probably serve to drive absenteeism rates up even higher—due to the fact that such a wild move would inevitably result in sick family members (without medical insurance), being less able to properly care for and attend to their children, and/or sick students missing school because of lack of health insurance. What a “brilliant” idea.
It’s clear that (for the most part) the two wealthy, white gents are operating from a punitive perspective and approach—relative to highly unlikely “solutions.” The best they could come up with regarding non-punitive ideas includes “the mayor, the county executive, leaders at all levels of the community—heck, Josh Allen—on TV, social media, Facebook, Instagram, telling families to get their children to school.” That’s almost laughable.
How about addressing the main conclusive, research-backed drivers?
Howard J. Eagle
Retired RCSD social studies teacher and African & African American Studies adjunct instructor at SUNY Brockport
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The approach to a long-standing and untended problem of absenteeism suggested by the “two rich white men” and cited by Professor Eagle underscores an ongoing problem in our community: The establishment does not have a clue. The best they can do is reflect the only ideas promoted by the current White House i.e. lets force people to work harder for their WICK benefits and Medicaid coverage.
The truth is this is not a problem we are going to solve until we have thrown some serious money at it. That includes money for food, shelter, transportation, medical care and education (teacher salaries, for example). The current White House is spending billions to deport hard working, tax-paying residents; more billions on a losing and unnecessary war with Iran; and more taxpayer dollars in a massive gift to the already rich (The Big Beautiful Bill). Millions more are spent fighting against our Constitution in the courts. Elon Musk has alone spent nearly a BILLION dollars in his (failed) personal crusade to undermine our Democracy and subvert the rights of working people. A flock of billionaire tech bros have added more millions to that effort.
The money is there. The Congress will soon have the power to go after it. It is time.
Sorry, not sorry, I agree with Howard Eagle. As I posted on the original article there was no addressing long established causes of the problem, only a concern it its spreading to majority white schools. The 1968 Kerner Commission Report cited continued segregation fourteen years after Brown V. Board. housing segregation, abusive police in Black communities, economic exclusion of Black and urban communities. The Kerner report became a national best seller and its credibility was established. Almost sixty years later and the resources and policy changes needed have never been implemented. The resources needed for the Great Society/War on Poverty were sabotaged by the Vietnam War/Cold War and Imperialism on behalf of big banks, corporations, and the wealthy. Now resources are supposedly no object where our deficit can exceed GDP and 25% of the deficit is due to one President in six years. Triple the Defense Budget, add $60 billion for ICE and internment camps for Black and Brown people where 75% have no criminal record, and cut taxes for the very rich and our largest corporations. The videos on ICE and Eric Garner, Michael Brown, George Floyd and scores more never happened. It’s basically the same talking points it has always been, it their own fault, personal responsibility, etc. Howard always hangs tough because he knows when they don’t like the message they go after the messenger. The right to free speech does not mean that BS and facts are equal.
As was said, “Good ideas soiled by hateful rhetoric.”
It’s a sad commentary on our times, whether it comes from the right or left that instead of reasoned arguments it devolves into personal attacks, especially soiled when it involves ageism and race.
No one has a lock on the truth. This has nothing to do with the validity or merit of the argument. It is the current lack of grace, empathy and civility.
“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” ~Pogo
This is where we are at today. Instead of a reasoned argument the writer immediately attacks the two contributors age and race in an ugly, hateful, and irrational manner.
A wasted opportunity to address an important issue. Instead of explaining and defending non-punitive ideas the writer attacks the contributors as “silly old white men”, an ageist and racially charged snipe, as if one’s age and race immediately invalidate one’s opinion.
I understand the Beacon offers a platform for all points of view, indeed it is the foundation of the debate forum. It is the reason many of us are here. It’s unfortunate that this letter illustrates the negativity we now see so much of in our daily political discourse, whether from President Trump or the writer. Sadly, they both contribute to the incivility of out times.
Good ideas soiled by hateful rhetoric.
Thank-you Howard for addressing and correcting the uninformed views of the “two wealthy white men”, which were significantly and substantially wild conjecture.
We, collectively, are grateful for the reasoned “research-based” drivers you have offered.