As a public high school teacher concerned about the rise of chronic absenteeism, I was encouraged this spring to learn that several state legislators, including Queens Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, have introduced bills in their chambers requiring all schools in the state to publish attendance data. I was even more excited last month when state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released the results of an audit that exposed low attendance rates at our city’s suspension centers.

In recent years, New York City high schools have dramatically weakened grading and attendance standards, essentially making class cutting a widely tolerated practice. So, I’m thrilled to know that some elected officials in Albany care about this issue. As local officials turn to the problem, we desperately need the state to come to our rescue. But, if state leaders really want NYC high school students to go to class more often, they’ll need to take more comprehensive........

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