Cleveland Browns Initiative Targets Chronic Absenteeism to Boost Literacy
The Cleveland Browns' "Stay in the Game! Attendance Network" is actively addressing literacy rates in Northeast Ohio by combating chronic absenteeism. The initiative, a partnership involving the Cleveland Browns Foundation, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and Harvard's Proving…
Cleveland Akron, OH, September 10, 2026 —
The Cleveland Browns organization, in collaboration with key educational partners, has launched a new initiative aimed at improving literacy rates across Northeast Ohio by tackling the persistent issue of chronic absenteeism among students.
The program, known as the “Stay in the Game! Attendance Network,” is a collaborative effort involving the Cleveland Browns Foundation, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and Harvard’s Proving Ground. Its primary objective is to enhance student attendance records.
Organizers emphasize that consistent school attendance is a critical factor directly correlated with improved reading proficiency and increased likelihood of high school graduation. By focusing on reducing absenteeism, the network seeks to create a more stable educational environment conducive to academic success.
The initiative employs several strategies to engage students and encourage regular school attendance. These include implementing attendance reward programs designed to incentivize students for being present. Additionally, the network organizes reading-focused events, which often feature appearances by Cleveland Browns personnel and the team’s mascot, Chomps. These events aim to make learning and school engagement more appealing to students.
Further community involvement is fostered through collaborations. One such partnership is with the Cleveland Public Library, which has introduced a branded library card as part of the initiative. This collaboration seeks to promote reading and library usage among students.
The specific details regarding the duration of the initiative, the total number of students participating, or the measurable impact on attendance and literacy rates thus far were not provided in the summary. The network’s activities are ongoing, focusing on building a consistent presence and engagement with students throughout the academic year.
Story summarized from the original created by Camryn Justice on www.news5cleveland.com, see more information here.
