Facing the struggles of an urban city, Trenton Public Schools have been battling chronic absenteeism for years now. With a 27% poverty rate, the city’s public school students have been exposed to greater issues that prevent them from returning to their schools. Some of these issues include the safety of the child and health concerns.

        I had the chance to talk to Derek Tingle, a freshman at The College of New Jersey to get an inside perspective on the common experiences and the reality of the issues alongside the obstacles that further contribute to absenteeism.