Historic declines in student achievement present our most pressing problem in education today. But closely connected to that, and as urgent, is a steep rise in chronic absenteeism.
On the most recent Nation's Report Card, or National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 22% of 4th graders reported they were absent five or more days in the previous month. That is double the percentage who reported that in 2019. The results were similar for eighth-graders and similar across states and subgroups of students.
The survey findings correspond with other data showing a rise in chronic absenteeism, making it one of the biggest obstacles to the nation’s post-COVID academic recovery. For example, 72% of schools reported an increase in the 2021-22 school year compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to the School Pulse Panel*, another national survey. And while research shows chronic absentee rates improved across states in 2023, they still remain 75% higher than before the pandemic. The National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) sees an association between the rise in absenteeism and decline in student achievement.
If students aren’t in school, how can they learn? Experts predict academic recovery will be nearly impossible if chronic absenteeism persists.
As is the case when tackling achievement declines, schools should use data to drive decisions around policies and practices to improve attendance.