A recent RAND survey of U.S. school districts reveals chronic absenteeism continues to plague the nation’s schools despite continued efforts on the part of school districts. About one-quarter (23%) of districts surveyed reported that none of the strategies they implemented to reduce absenteeism have been particularly effective.
By the numbers: About 19% of K-12 students were considered “chronically absent,” meaning they missed at least 10% of the 2023–2024 school year—roughly 18 or more days. While this is down from the pandemic highs, it remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels of 15%.
- Additionally, 10% of districts reported chronic absenteeism rates of 30% or more, with the most severe challenges occurring in districts with larger student populations, higher poverty rates, and a majority of students of color.
Go deeper: In Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the issue is especially pronounced, with 32.3% of students chronically absent this past academic year, down from pandemic-era peaks but still significantly higher than historical norms. [The 74]
Key drivers: Absenteeism isn’t driven solely by illness. Districts across the country point to multiple causes:
- Transportation issues: In cities like Detroit, unreliable public transportation is a significant barrier to consistent attendance. Students often face long waits or missed buses, causing them to skip school. [Chalkbeat]
- Mental health challenges: The rise in absenteeism is closely linked to mental health struggles, particularly among pre-teens and teenagers.
- Cultural shifts: A post-pandemic trend suggests a more casual attitude toward attendance. Some families now view school as optional, a shift driven by remote learning flexibility during the pandemic.
What can we do about it?: Districts are implementing various strategies to curb absenteeism, including early warning systems, home visits, and personalized outreach to families. [K-12 Dive]
- In LAUSD, efforts like “concierge” transportation aim to provide nearly door-to-door service to address transportation barriers. [The 74]
- Similarly, districts in Washington are launching family engagement campaigns and incentive programs to improve attendance. [KUOW]
Some researchers and policymakers are pushing for stricter measures, advocating for “tough love” approaches that tie participation in extracurricular activities to attendance and even impose fines on families for chronic absences. There are also discussions about providing incentives like cash rewards, but critics argue that this sends the wrong message.
