{"id":22156,"date":"2024-11-03T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-03T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gokid.mobi\/?p=22156"},"modified":"2024-11-05T04:06:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T04:06:42","slug":"why-we-need-to-address-the-rise-of-chronic-absenteeism-in-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gokid.mobi\/why-we-need-to-address-the-rise-of-chronic-absenteeism-in-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Chronic Absenteeism In Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chronic absenteeism is classified as students missing 10 percent or more of the school year for any reason.\u00a0 Despite slight improvements since the peak in 2021, post-pandemic absenteeism remains a major challenge for schools across the U.S. For instance, i<\/span><\/span>n the<\/span> 2022\u201323 academic year<\/a>, about 30% of districts reported chronic absenteeism levels between 20-30%, while nearly 10% faced levels above 30%. Although these numbers have begun trending lower than the pandemic highs, they still indicate persistent issues in student attendance that demand urgent attention.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Image: FutureEd State Chronic Absenteeism Rates, By School Year
\nView full report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Attendance Matters<\/b><\/h4>\n

Chronic absenteeism impacts not only individual academic success but also long-term graduation rates, especially for students who fall behind early. Missing key educational milestones, such as reading at grade level by third grade, significantly increases the risk of dropping out. As school leaders acknowledge, addressing absenteeism requires <\/span>multi-faceted solutions<\/b> involving families, educators, and the broader community.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Why Are Students Still Missing School<\/a>?<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
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  1. Health & Mental Health Issues<\/b>: Ongoing challenges like chronic illnesses and mental health problems account for a significant portion of absences.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Transportation Barriers<\/b>: Limited transportation access, especially in rural areas or single-car households, continues to hinder students from attending school regularly.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Disengagement<\/b>: A cultural shift since the pandemic has affected students’ and families’ perception of schooling, with many now viewing it as optional. Additionally, experiences with bullying contribute to avoidance behavior.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Family Responsibilities & Instability<\/b>: Economic challenges like food insecurity, unstable housing, or the need to care for relatives add to the absenteeism problem, especially among marginalized communities.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Strategies to Combat Chronic Absenteeism<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

    In August of 2024, an American School District Panel Survey<\/a> found that 93% of districts have implemented at least one strategy to address absenteeism. However, one-quarter of these districts found their interventions were not effective. District leaders now suggest that schools need to adopt fresh, more engaging approaches to re-establish the importance of consistent attendance. Here are a few examples:<\/span><\/p>\n