HOUSTON — It’s a trend schools across the country are seeing -- chronic absenteeism.
According to the New York Times, chronic absenteeism is typically defined as missing at least 10% of the school year -- or about 18 days. In a new report from the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank, 26% of public school students were chronically absent last year. That’s compared to 15% in 2019.
So what’s behind the big jump? Well, the years of the data used is our first clue. 2019 was the last year before covid. Since then schools have struggled with several issues including behavioral issues and learning loss.
According to NYT, student absenteeism is the most pervasive problem facing educators after the global pandemic. It is also making issues like behavioral problems and learning loss worse.
The reasons students are missing class range from wealthy parents taking kids out to go on vacation to students struggling with anxiety opting to stay home. Experts say the pandemic shifted our relationship with school, allowing some to see it as optional.
Schools are doing everything from one-on-one counseling to pajama days to lure kids back, but many education experts expect this to be an issue for years to come.
