Arrr! The scallywags be skippin' class like thar be no tomorrow! 10 percent o' school year be missed, says the study.
2024-01-20
Arr, a brand new reckonin' doth declare that the scurvy dogs and lasses be missin' their learnin', with this cursed COVID era bein' the reason. And 'tis clear as the skies, our schools be sufferin' yet again from this chronic absenteeism curse!
A recent study has shown that chronic absenteeism continues to be a problem in the American school system, with teachers struggling to keep students in the classroom year-round. According to a federal survey, only 90% of students showed up to school on a typical day this fall, which experts say is too low considering the rise in chronic absenteeism. The remaining 10% of students are considered chronically absent, meaning they miss at least 18 days, or 10% of the academic year.The study, published by the National Center for Education Statistics, follows other studies that have observed alarmingly high rates of absenteeism after the COVID pandemic years. A study from Stanford Research found that over 25% of students were classified as chronically absent in the 2021-2022 school year, compared to only 15% before the pandemic. Between the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 academic years, there was a 91% increase in the percentage of students classified as chronically absent, equating to approximately 6.5 million more students falling into this category compared to pre-pandemic times.
The director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Neera Tande, expressed concern over the issue, stating that chronic absenteeism cannot be accepted as the new normal. Tande emphasized the importance of students being present in order to learn. Forensic psychiatrist Carole Lieberman also highlighted the wide-ranging effects of student absenteeism on the economy, as it can lead to poor academic performance, discouragement, and a higher likelihood of dropping out of high school, ultimately impacting future earning potential.
Before the pandemic, 25% of all enrolled students already attended schools with high or extreme chronic absences. This study underscores the need for greater efforts to address chronic absenteeism and ensure that students are present and engaged in their education.