Ohio Policies

State Policy Evaluation Framework

We used 11 criteria to assess state policies across three categories:

Data and Accountability

For states to make progress toward addressing chronic absenteeism, all stakeholders must have access to useful, accurate, and timely attendance data. As stewards of state data systems, state education agencies (SEAs) are best positioned to establish common definitions and collect and share this data, which should be publicly available and easily accessible so stakeholders can make targeted, strategic workforce decisions at the school, district, and state level.

Investments in Strategies to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

To improve chronic absenteeism rates, state leaders must prioritize sustained investments and implement evidence-based strategies that address the root causes especially for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities. SEAs, in partnership with districts and communities, are uniquely positioned to allocate resources toward high-impact interventions such as wraparound services, policy agenda, improved transportation, and family engagement. These investments should be driven by data and equity, aligned with state-level goals, and monitored for effectiveness.

Eliminating Harmful Practices and Adopting Evidence-based Policies and Practices

To improve school climate, schools should eliminate discipline practices such as suspensions for disrespect, minor disruptions, dress-code violations, and other non-violent behaviors that harm the relationship between students and school. Success means removing these policies and replacing them with supportive, restorative approaches that keep students connected to leaning and contribute to their social-emotional development.

LEGEND:
  • Most supportive
  • Partially supportive
  • Least supportive

  • Data and Accountability

    • Does the state require taking daily attendance, and does it set a definition of daily attendance?

      The state requires taking hourly attendance.

    • Does the state disaggregate and cross-tabulate chronic absenteeism and attendance data?

      The state disaggregates data by race/ethnicity, gender, grade level, economic disadvantage, students with disabilities, and English learners. Users can navigate to locate public data for student attendance at the district or school level, and from there disaggregate between student groups using
      “Chronic Absenteeism Disaggregate Detail” at the bottom of the screen. Districts use the Secure Data Center to review and verify chronic absenteeism data before it appears on report cards.

    • Does the state have attendance monitoring systems in place?

      The state allows districts to use their own student information systems (e.g. Power School, Progress Book, Infinite Campus) to house and monitor attendance at the local level. The Ohio Department of Education encourages schools and districts to use a district data dashboard to regularly review actionable attendance data.

    • How often does the state collect chronic absenteeism data from school districts?

      The state collects chronic absenteeism data at least twice a year.

    • Is chronic absenteeism data publicly available and accessible?

      The state’s data is available and publicly accessible on the state report card website.

    • Does the state use early warning indicators?

      Ohio law was recently updated to require local board of education policies include a variety of components to support early intervention. It emphasizes monitoring and communicating about chronic absenteeism rather than only focusing on truancy. The policies include supporting students “at risk of becoming chronically absent.”

      Ohio also promotes an Integrated Multi-Tiered System of Support framework that encourages schools and districts to consider how their students receive a continuum of academic and nonacademic supports based on universal screening and progress monitoring.

  • Investments in Strategies to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

    • Has the state invested in strategies to increase engagement and lower rates of chronic absenteeism?

      The state has invested in multiple strategies to increase student wellness and lower rates of chronic absenteeism.

      The Stay in the Game! Attendance Network is now available throughout the entire state for schools and districts to engage in core supports and a campaign to raise awareness on the importance of attendance. The most recent FY26-FY27 state budget includes $1.5 million over two years to Stay in the Game! The network uses this funding to provide coaching, support, and incentives for daily attendance in Ohio schools. Ohio challenged all schools and districts to join the network, and all community stakeholders to pledge their support under the slogan “Attendance Matters.” Additionally, the state’s priority of student wellness aims to reduce chronic absence through increasing access to school based health care through onsite clinics, vision and dental services, and access to mental health support. In the last five years, Ohio has invested over 41M in school-based health care and continues to invest in initiatives throughout the state.

    • Does the state have a clear policy agenda that prioritizes the reduction of chronic absenteeism?

      The state developed a task force and produced a report that report informs the policy agenda, including creating a statewide messaging campaign and legislative change regarding chronic absenteeism.

    • Are the state's investments to reduce chronic absenteeism financially sustainable?

      No evidence.

  • Harmful Practices

    • Has the state adopted evidence-based discipline guidance and policies?

      The state improved reporting requirements regarding expulsions in 2024. Additionally, Ohio improved discipline policies and practices for students with disabilities (2025) and implemented alternative discipline practices through the SAFE Act in 2018.

    • Has the state eliminated harmful discipline practices that contribute to chronic absenteeism?

      Local board of education policies must include a provision that prohibits “suspending, expelling, or otherwise preventing a student from attending school” based on attendance.

Ohio Chronic Absenteeism Numbers

Understanding state policy conditions to address chronic absenteeism is one part of the story. It’s also important to review actual – timely – data on chronic absenteeism to understand attendance patterns, engage in early intervention and prevention, identify trends, allocate resources where they are needed most, and implement targeted interventions in a way that addresses root causes and meets the needs of students and their families. Timely and transparent data can also help advocates understand where to ask educators in their communities to focus efforts.

The data below presents information about chronic absenteeism rates in 2022-23, and projects how those rates would need to change to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50% over five years — overall and for individual student groups, because averages hide important details about how specific groups of students are faring. And since we can’t accept different standards for different groups, the goal displayed is for each student group to achieve the same chronic absenteeism rate as other groups.

Do you want to see the data for another state?