The organizations found seven main takeaways from the data:
- Chronic absence slightly decreased from its high of 30% of students in the 2021-22 school year to 28% in 2022-23.
- While chronic absence was decreasing for all student demographic groups, sizable gaps remained.
- Most states are seeing reductions, but a few saw increases, while progress was often uneven within states. Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Rhode Island and New Mexico were highlighted for making substantial improvements
- High or extreme levels of chronic absence remained a persistent challenge, with 61% of school reporting challenges with some students missing 20%-30%+ of school days
- The greatest decreases were among the schools with the highest levels of chronic absence; there was no improvement in the percent of schools with lower chronic absence levels.
- The majority of schools serving the highest proportion of students experiencing poverty continue to experience extreme levels of chronic absence.
- Large numbers of elementary schools continue to be affected by extreme chronic absence levels.
While modest improvements in reducing chronic absence are occurring, it remains a challenge nearly everywhere. [Attendance Works]
Powerful and effective strategies
In addition to calling for making reducing chronic absences a top priority at the national, state, and district levels, Attendance Works also highlights strategies including:
- Advancing family engagement
- Promoting student connectedness
- Ensuring health, well-being and safety
- Investing in relevant and engaging learning
- Supporting access to learning
- Improving access to real-time attendance data at the school, district, and state levels