Chronic absence takes a toll on students and the rest community from an early age. Katie Carroll is a Kindergarten teacher at Pittsburgh Faison School and thinks future learning patterns are developed as early as the first year.
"I try to establish relationships with parents so that the kids are really excited about coming to school."
But Pittsburgh Obama School volunteer and tutor, Maria Searcy says many parents don't recognize the long term effects of chronic absenteeism.
"It's about having everyone collectively at the table," she says.
