EVENT: Absent but Not Invisible: Taking On the Challenge to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

Five years after the onset of COVID-19, chronic absenteeism—the percentage of students absent at least 10 percent of the school year—is falling gradually but remains far above pre-pandemic levels. Consistent attendance is vital to student success, which makes absenteeism a top challenge for schools struggling to improve student outcomes. Fortunately, progress on this front can be accelerated, and states, districts, and families can help make student attendance more consistent. On August 21, AEI, Attendance Works, and EdTrust will team up for a public event to review the progress made on school attendance; discuss how states can address this lingering challenge through a collaborative, data-informed approach; and renew the call to cut chronic absenteeism by 50 percent over five years.