CONTACT:
Carolyn Phenicie, cphenicie@edtrust.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

States Missing the Mark in Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
EdTrust finds states aren’t collecting sufficient data or adopting policies to support regular school attendance

 WASHINGTON – States across the country have acknowledged that chronic absenteeism is a top education issue, but too many have insufficient data to judge the scale of the problem, a new report from EdTrust has found.

Chronic absenteeism spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic; and, despite some slow declines, has remained high for too many students, particularly students of color, those from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities. It’s clear that there are evidence-based solutions to address chronic absenteeism and promote regular attendance, like undertaking authentic family engagement, offering wraparound supports and eliminating harsh discipline practices, but relatively few states are undertaking those policy changes and committing to funding them over the long term.

New research from EdTrust evaluates 23 states’ approaches to attendance data and accountability, investments in strategies and policies to reducing chronic absenteeism, and the elimination of harmful practices that can contribute to chronic absenteeism.

Highlights of the findings, conducted on a green/yellow/red scale based on their alignment with ideal policies, include:

• Only about half of the states in the report require schools to take attendance daily and have a standard definition of a full day of attendance.
• About half of states in the report are investing in research-backed practices like family engagement, after-school programs, and supportive school climates, that can promote regular attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism — and just two of the states in this report have adopted permanent funding for these initiatives.
• About half of evaluated states have banned punitive discipline practices, like corporal punishment or seclusion and restraint, that break students’ relationship with school, lead to chronic absenteeism.

“Chronic absenteeism is receiving national attention because it is a problem we know how to solve. The results from our scan are not part of a shame game, but rather a step to help all 50 states wisely invest resources to decrease chronic absenteeism and improve student learning outcomes. I encourage states to work toward a shared goal and ensure all students have the resources and supports they need to succeed,” said Denise Forte, president and CEO of EdTrust.

The resources also include a guide for how states can better support undocumented students, or those from mixed-immigration-status families, amid increased federal immigration enforcement, which has been shown to drive down attendance, and a strategic action guide that state and district education leaders can use to evaluate their policies and practices in addressing chronic absenteeism and implement model practices from the scan where appropriate.

Last year, EdTrust launched the 50% Challenge with Attendance Works and Nat Malkus of the American Enterprise Institute, encouraging state leaders to commit to reducing chronic absenteeism from pandemic highs by 50% over five years.

“Advocates have an important role in improving school attendance policy. We are pleased that EdTrust is equipping advocates across the country to hold state policymakers accountable for ensuring access to data and investing in effective strategies for improving attendance,” said Hedy Chang, executive director and founder, Attendance Works. “States can take action through a variety of mechanisms, including guidance, funding, and legislation to ensure all school districts have the tools and skills to support excellent student attendance,” Chang added.

“Chronic absenteeism remains a stubbornly persistent challenge in schools across the nation,” said Malkus of AEI. “In order to reduce it at scale, states need to demonstrate their focus on this issue by leading on policy, and with timely collection and reporting of quality data on student absences. State action is necessary, though not sufficient, to continue progress to meet the 50% Challenge.”

Where the data was available, EdTrust also looked at current chronic absenteeism rates in the participating states and how long it would take states to meet that 50% pledge at current rates of reduction.

The states included in the report: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.

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About EdTrust

EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the American education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to education equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where students will thrive.