What the Research Says Schools Should Do About Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism skyrocketed during the pandemic, creating major challenges for teachers and school administrators eager to bring students back to regular classroom routines.
But for many schools, elevated levels of chronic absenteeism have persisted well past the reopening of school buildings, and schools across America are continuing their work to reduce the amount of missed class time and address its far-reaching consequences.
Chronic absenteeism has been associated with a slew of problems, including lower reading achievement and engagement in school, and ultimately a higher risk of dropping out. The students already facing some of the biggest challenges—homeless and foster students, those in poverty, and those with chronic medical conditions like asthma—are also the students most likely to miss school repeatedly.
The research is clear: The more time students spend in school, the better. So, avoiding unnecessary absences is a key piece of academic recovery.
Read more at Education Week.
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