These attendance management strategies can reduce chronic absenteeism

Key points:

School districts that implemented proactive and consistent attendance interventions saw a 22 percent improvement in chronic absenteeism rates from 2021-22 to 2022-23. versus just a 7 percent improvement nationally over that same time period, according to National primary and secondary school attendance data trendsto School status report examining attendance trends for nearly 1 million students from kindergarten through high school.

These districts implemented proactive, positive attendance management strategies and tools for three consecutive school years (2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-2024).

This analysis examines chronic absenteeism rates and attendance rates across district size, grade levels, and student ethnicities and compares the SchoolStatus data set to publicly reported national attendance data.

High School Students and Larger Districts Show High Rates of Chronic Absenteeism

• In 2023-24, chronic absenteeism rates were highest among high school students, at 27.74 percent for ninth graders, and increased to 31.84 percent for 12th graders.
• Chronic absenteeism was lowest in the early elementary grades, with a rate of 26 percent in kindergarten and falling to 16.5 percent in third grade.
• Smaller districts (3,500 students) improved chronic absenteeism rates by 36.39 percent between the 2021-22 and 2023-24 school years
• Large districts (20,000+ students) show only a 19.63 percent improvement over the same time period

Chronic Absenteeism Continues to Affect Historically Marginalized Students

• In 2023-24, students who identified as Black (30.1 percent), Hispanic/Latino (25.72 percent), Native American (32.84 percent), and Pacific Islander (32.47 percent) had chronic absenteeism rates of 25 percent or higher.
• Asian students had the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 10.49 percent, while white students had a chronic absenteeism rate of 18.36 percent.
• The chronic absenteeism rate for Hispanic students improved by 16.7 percent, double the national improvement rate of 7 percent.

“Attendance is critical at all grade levels, and we continue to see alarming rates of chronic absenteeism in U.S. schools year after year,” said Russ Davis, founder and CEO of SchoolStatus.

“Many districts use outdated techniques that focus on punishment rather than positive reinforcement. We have seen time and time again why those methods don’t work. By connecting with families to understand why their students are missing school and creating an encouraging school environment with open communication, we can get students back in the classroom.”

This press release Originally appeared online.

Laura Ascione is the editorial director of eSchool Media. She holds a degree from the prestigious Philip Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland.

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