Impactful Insights on Addressing Persistent School Absences

In the aftermath of the pandemic, chronic absenteeism in schools remains a significant concern. Schools with stronger, preexisting family engagement have seen chronic absenteeism rates after remote learning that are about 6 percentage points lower than similar schools with weaker family engagement.

One of the most common reasons for student absences is illness, accounting for 67% of all absences, according to a survey. However, some students, as much as a quarter, do not think missing three or more weeks of school in a single academic year is a problem.

This high rate of chronic absenteeism can have a detrimental effect on students. In classrooms with poorer overall attendance, students have exhibited lower reading, math, and executive function skills, according to some research. Constant missed school days force teachers into a cycle of remediating and reviewing missed content when absent students return, slowing progress for other students.

Chronic absences also affect students who attend regularly. Frequent absences by a large segment of the student body can hinder the learning progress of those who are present, making it difficult to establish classroom routines and a culture amid the churn of students due to chronic absenteeism.

Schools have found that it's best to avoid punitive approaches to absenteeism. Threatening legal action against families or sending students to detention for high numbers of absences is not an effective solution. Instead, partnering with families and community organizations can help schools understand the reasons for student absences.

Some districts have found success in addressing this issue by providing clear communication about bus routes and offering support to families who need help navigating the system. However, specific data on schools with the highest rates of chronic absenteeism in 2025-26, categorized by urban, suburban, and rural schools, is currently unavailable.

The chronic absenteeism rate is trending downward but remains well above pre-pandemic norms. Despite this, 51% of parents, according to a poll, believe a noncontagious illness is a valid reason for students to stay home. This shows a growing awareness and concern about the issue, with 58% of parents identifying chronic absenteeism as a major problem.

However, among parents whose children were chronically absent, only 47% said they were concerned, according to a study by researchers at the University of Southern California. This highlights the need for continued efforts to raise awareness and address this issue.

Thirty-two percent of parent respondents correctly defined chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of school days. This underscores the importance of clear communication and education about the impact of chronic absenteeism on students' grades, connection to peers, and school communities, and their chances of completing high school.

Teacher satisfaction drops steadily as absenteeism increases. As schools work to address this issue, they must also consider the impact on teachers and strive to create supportive environments that promote both student and teacher success.

Chronic absenteeism can be self-perpetuating, as research has shown that students' absences can make peers more likely to miss school. This is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach, including support for families, clear communication, and a focus on creating a positive school culture that values regular attendance.