Chronic Absenteeism

The causes and consequences of chronic student absenteeism and strategies for addressing the pervasive problem in the nation’s schools

Attendance Playbook: Smart Solutions for Reducing Student Absenteeism Post-Pandemic

Research and best practices on evidence-based strategies to reducing student absenteeism

How Home Visits Helped Connecticut Cut Student Absenteeism

When students started dropping off the school rolls during the pandemic, Connecticut put $10.7 million of its federal relief aid toward a home visiting program…

Present Danger: Solving the Deepening Student Absenteeism Crisis

The impact of the pandemic on student attendance

Tapping Federal Dollars to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

Summary of the federal programs school districts can use to fund attendance work

Who’s In: Chronic Absenteeism Under ESSA

States’ use of chronic absenteeism in school-accountability systems

Chronic Absenteeism

Explained

Chronic Absenteeism

By the Numbers

NAEP Scores & Absenteeism

  • 45%

    4th grade reading NAEP score decline explained by changes in absenteeism

  • 27%

    4th grade math NAEP score decline explained by changes in absenteeism

Source: The White House

Chronic Absenteeism

  • 8 million

    Students who were chronically absent pre-pandemic

  • 16 million

    Students who were chronically absent in spring 2022

Source: Attendance Works

Attendance Rates in NYC

  • 41%

    Students chronically absent in New York City, 2021-22

  • 27%

    Students chronically absent in New York City pre-pandemic

Source: NYC Department of Education

State Rates of Absenteeism

  • 35.7%

    Students chronically absent during the 2020-21 school year in Kentucky

  • 2.1%

    Students chronically absent during the 2020-21 school year in Wyoming

Source: Ed Data Express

A National Look at Attendance

  • 10.1 million

    Students who were chronically absent during 2020-21 school year

  • 8 million

    Students who were chronically absent pre-pandemic

Source: Attendance Works

Student Absenteeism

  • 48%

    Public K-12 teachers that had at least one student who never showed up for class during the 2020-21 school year

  • 65%

    Teachers in urban schools

Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office

Chronic Absenteeism

All Work

Legislative Tracker: 2024 State Student-Absenteeism Bills

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School Attendance Percentages Can Mask Chronic Absenteeism

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Testimony: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in the District of Columbia

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Tracking State Trends in Chronic Absenteeism

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Outdated Absenteeism Data Is Slowing Pandemic School Recovery

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State Strategies for Fighting Chronic Student Absenteeism

Read More about State Strategies for Fighting Chronic Student Absenteeism

WEBINAR: State Policy Solutions for Reducing Student Absenteeism

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Have Policymakers Overlooked a Major Contributor to the Dismal 2022 NAEP Results?

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An Overlooked Covid-relief Fund for Schools  

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Attendance Playbook: Smart Solutions for Reducing Student Absenteeism Post-Pandemic

Read More about Attendance Playbook: Smart Solutions for Reducing Student Absenteeism Post-Pandemic

A New Strategy for Driving Educational Equity

Read More about A New Strategy for Driving Educational Equity

How Home Visits Helped Connecticut Cut Student Absenteeism

Read More about How Home Visits Helped Connecticut Cut Student Absenteeism