Coping with Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
Flerentin "Flex" Jean-Baptiste missed so much school he had to repeat his freshman year at Medford High outside Boston. At school, "you do the same thing every day," said Jean-Baptiste, who was absent 30 days his first year. "That gets very frustrating."
Innovative Solutions
Then his principal did something nearly unheard of: She let students play organized sports during lunch — if they attended all their classes. In other words, she offered high schoolers recess.
"It gave me something to look forward to," said Jean-Baptiste, 16. The following year, he cut his absences in half. Schoolwide, the share of chronically absent students declined from 35% in March 2023 to 23% in March 2024 — one of the steepest declines among Massachusetts high schools.
The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact
Years after COVID-19 upended American schooling, nearly every state is still struggling with attendance, according to data collected by The Associated Press and Stanford University educational economist Thomas Dee.
Roughly one in four students in the 2022-23 school year remained chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of the school year. That represents about 12 million children in the 42 states and Washington, D.C., where data is available.
Before the pandemic, only 15% of students missed that much school.
Creative Solutions
Schools are working to identify students with slipping attendance, then providing help. They’re working to close communication gaps with parents, who often aren’t aware their child is missing so much school or why it’s problematic.
So far, the solutions that appear to be helping are simple — like postcards to parents that compare a child’s attendance with peers. But to make more progress, experts say, schools must get creative to address their students’ needs.
Caring Adults — and Incentives
In Oakland, California, chronic absenteeism skyrocketed from 29% pre-pandemic to 53% in 2022-23 across district and charter schools. Officials asked students what would convince them to come to class.
Money, they replied, and a mentor.
A grant-funded program launched in spring 2023 paid 45 students $50 weekly for perfect attendance. Students also checked in daily with an assigned adult and completed weekly mental health assessments.
Paying students isn’t a permanent or sustainable fix, said Zaia Vera, the district’s head of social-emotional learning.
But many absent students lacked stable housing or were helping to support their families. "The money is the hook that got them in the door," Vera said.
More than 60% improved their attendance after taking part, Vera said. The program is expected to continue, along with district-wide efforts aimed at creating a sense of belonging. Oakland’s African American Male Achievement project, for example, pairs Black students with Black teachers who offer support.
Mental Health Matters
Kids who identify with their educators are more likely to attend school, said Michael Gottfried, a University of Pennsylvania professor.
According to one study led by Gottfried, California students felt "it’s important for me to see someone who’s like me early on, first thing in the day," he said.
A caring teacher made a difference for Golden Tachiquin, 18, who graduated from Oakland’s Skyline High School this spring. When she started 10th grade after a remote freshman year, she felt lost and anxious. She later realized these feelings caused the nausea and dizziness that kept her home sick. She was absent at least 25 days that year.
But she bonded with an Afro-Latina teacher who understood her culturally and made Tachiquin, a straight-A student, feel her poor attendance didn’t define her.
"I didn’t dread going to her class," Tachiquin said.
Another teacher had the opposite effect. "She would say, ‘Wow, guess who decided to come today?’" Tachiquin recalled. "I started skipping her class even more."
Stubborn Circumstances
Chronically absent students are at higher risk of illiteracy and eventually dropping out. They also miss the meals, counseling, and socialization provided at school.
Many of the reasons kids missed school early in the pandemic are still firmly in place: financial hardship, transportation problems, mild illness, and mental health struggles.
How Sick is Too Sick?
When chronic absence surged to around 50% in Fresno, California, officials realized they had to remedy pandemic-era mindsets about keeping kids home sick.
"Unless your student has a fever or threw up in the last 24 hours, you are coming to school. That’s what we want," said Abigail Arii, director of student support services.
Often, said Noreida Perez, who oversees attendance, parents aren’t aware physical symptoms can point to mental health struggles — such as when a child doesn’t feel up to leaving their bedroom.
Conclusion
Chronic absenteeism is a complex issue, and schools must be creative in finding solutions. From offering recess to providing support for students’ mental health, schools are working to address the root causes of absence. By getting to know their students and addressing their unique needs, schools can reduce chronic absenteeism and improve educational outcomes.
FAQs
Q: What is chronic absenteeism?
A: Chronic absenteeism is when a student misses at least 10% of the school year, which is considered excessive.
Q: What are the causes of chronic absenteeism?
A: Common causes include financial hardship, transportation problems, mild illness, and mental health struggles.
Q: What are some effective solutions to chronic absenteeism?
A: Innovative solutions include offering recess, providing support for students’ mental health, and getting to know students and addressing their unique needs.
Q: How can parents help their child attend school more regularly?
A: Parents can ensure their child gets regular check-ups with their doctor, helps them develop a routine, and encourages open communication about their child’s feelings about school.
Q: What can schools do to reduce chronic absenteeism?
A: Schools can offer additional support services, such as counseling and tutoring, and provide incentives for good attendance, like perfect attendance awards.
