These kids want to go to school. The main obstacle? Paperwork

By BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS
AP Education Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — Thousands of kids went missing from schools during the pandemic. For some who have tried to return, school paperwork has proved a daunting obstacle. In Atlanta, one family’s four kids have been home since March 2020, ultimately unenrolled for poor attendance. To sign them back up, their mom must present several identification, health and residency documents — including one that must be notarized. Without a driver’s license or a working phone, mom Tameka has found the task overwhelming. Records show Atlanta school staff have called Tameka 19 times since the pandemic about her children’s school attendance. Most of those calls went to voicemail or didn’t go through because the phone was disconnected. Tameka says she’s unaware of any outreach from Atlanta schools.