Rising crisis: disturbing trend among children post-pandemic

The Persistent Challenge of Chronic Absenteeism in American Schools

Chronic absenteeism has become a significant issue in schools across the United States, with rates reaching unprecedented levels during the coronavirus pandemic and remaining alarmingly high even now. The Department of Education (DoE) defines chronic absenteeism as students missing 10 percent or more of school per year. This metric has shown a sharp increase, with rates soaring to 31 percent in the 2021-2022 academic year. Even four years later, students are still missing class at disturbingly high rates.

Recent data through March 2025 shows that absenteeism has decreased slightly to 19.3 percent. However, experts note that these absences are "more common" and "more extreme" than before the pandemic. A study by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) highlights that absenteeism remains 50 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. Although there has been a slight decline of 0.3 points since last year, researchers warn that it could take at least two decades for student absence rates to return to their previous levels.

Efforts to Combat Absenteeism

Educators are exploring various strategies to encourage students to attend school regularly. Some districts have implemented financial incentives, offering students payments for consistent attendance. Others have encouraged teachers to include attendance as part of grades or limit the number of online assignments students can complete.

According to recent reports, twenty states reported that more than 30 percent of their students missed at least three weeks of school in the 2022-23 academic year. The highest rates of absenteeism were recorded in Oregon, Hawaii, New Mexico, and the District of Columbia. During the 2022-23 academic year, Oregon had an absenteeism rate of 44 percent, while Hawaii and New Mexico followed closely at 43 percent. Washington D.C., however, had the highest rate at 47 percent.

The AEI report, which includes data from 2024, found that Hawaii had the highest absenteeism rate at 34 percent, followed by Connecticut at 30 percent and Washington D.C. at 29 percent. These figures underscore the persistent challenge of absenteeism across different regions.

Factors Contributing to Absenteeism

Researchers identify multiple factors contributing to absenteeism, often interconnected. These include student disengagement, lack of access to support systems, and health challenges affecting both students and families. High-needs populations, such as students from low-income households, are particularly affected. Students with disabilities are 36 percent more likely to experience chronic absenteeism than those without disabilities. Additionally, absenteeism is 20 percent higher among English language learners compared to students who are fluent or native speakers.

The DoE has urged schools and districts nationwide to address the root causes of absenteeism and emphasize the importance of regular school attendance. In response, some districts have taken innovative approaches to improve attendance. For example, Detroit, Michigan, and Oakland, California, have used financial incentives to motivate students to come to school. Detroit spends up to $1,000 per student annually to encourage attendance, which experts claim increases attendance by several days each year.

Innovative Solutions and Expert Recommendations

Experts have proposed a range of solutions to tackle absenteeism. Robert Balfanz from Johns Hopkins University School of Education suggests that making attendance count toward academic grades could encourage students on the verge of skipping to attend class. Tim Daly, CEO of EdNavigator, recommends addressing sleep deprivation as a key factor in absenteeism. His organization's survey found that "not enough sleep" was the most common reason for student absences after illness.

Daly proposes that schools could help students establish better nighttime routines by disabling certain features on district-issued technology at specific times. This would prevent students from using devices late at night for entertainment rather than homework. He also suggested that schools could send messages to parents when these restrictions are activated, signaling it’s time for bed.

Some school districts have adjusted high school start times to align better with adolescent sleep cycles. Mary Beth Miotto, a pediatrician and former president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, advocates treating school attendance like a "vital sign." She argues that high absenteeism negatively impacts physical and mental health, including increasing dropout rates and lowering life expectancy.

Miotto emphasizes the need for medical professionals to engage families in conversations about attendance without creating fear around truancy. She believes all primary care physicians, emergency room staff, and urgent care doctors should ask families about school attendance. “We can pour all the money into schools and teachers, but if kids aren’t showing up, it’s not helping,” she said.