What happens when a student misses just a few days of school here and there? At first glance, not much. But when those missed days add up to 10% or more of the academic year, a bigger problem begins to unfold. It is one that schools across the United States are now confronting with urgency.The US Department of Education defines “chronic absenteeism” as missing at least 10% of school days in a year, or about 18 days in total, regardless of whether those absences are excused or unexcused. On paper, 18 days may not look catastrophic. In practice, however, it can mean missing foundational lessons, falling behind in coursework, and disconnecting from the daily rhythm of school life.
Why this has become a national issue
The pandemic cracked open many longstanding cracks in education systems, and chronic absenteeism has proven to be one of the most persistent. According to data released by the US Department of Education, about 31% of students were chronically absent during the 2021–2022 school year. In 2022–2023, that figure declined slightly to 28%, but it still signals that more than one in four students missed nearly a month of school.Twenty states reported that over 30% of their students missed at least three weeks of school last year, according to the US Department of Education. This is not a regional problem or a statistical blip, it is a widespread educational emergency hiding in plain sight.
What the research says
For young learners, the stakes are especially high. Studies show that students who are chronically absent between preschool and second grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the time they reach third grade. Reading below grade level at that stage is not just a short-term hurdle, it is correlated with a fourfold increase in the likelihood of dropping out of high school later on.Absenteeism also affects a child’s social and emotional development. Regular attendance creates opportunities to build relationships with peers and trusted adults. When students are repeatedly absent, these vital connections begin to fray, further deepening disengagement.
Why students miss school
The causes of chronic absenteeism are as layered and varied as the students affected by it. Based on current federal research, the primary factors include:
- Student disengagement from learning.
- Health challenges, both physical and mental, affecting students or family members.
- Lack of access to supportive services and transportation.
No single fix will solve all of these. But the US Department of Education has laid out a practical roadmap for states, districts, and schools looking to reverse the trend.
What states can do
The Department is encouraging states to take a systems-level approach:
- Join the Student Engagement and Attendance Center, which offers technical assistance on multi-tiered support systems and tools for investigating the root causes of absenteeism
- Develop statewide student data systems that are timely, transparent, and actionable
- Incorporate chronic absenteeism into their accountability systems under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), using it as a lever for long-term attendance improvement
What districts can do
District-level efforts can combine practical resources with community-building:
- Join the Attendance Solutions Network, which already supports over 200 districts and offers technical assistance and peer learning
- Explore resources created jointly by the U.S. Departments of Education and Transportation, which focus on providing safer and more reliable transportation options for students, especially in underserved communities
What schools can do
On the ground, schools often serve as the most direct link to families. The Department recommends:
- Distributing resources to families, such as CDC guidelines for making informed decisions about school attendance when children are experiencing mild illness.
- Using federal funding strategically, as outlined in the Supporting Student Attendance and Engagement Sustainability resource, to continue attendance initiatives started under the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) program.
- Implementing research-backed practices through tools provided by the Department’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), including: Early warning systems, school-based mentoring, and evidence-based texting programs for parents, with guidance available in IES’s How to Text Message Parents to Reduce Chronic Absence Using an Evidence-Based Approach.
Changing the culture around attendance
Chronic absenteeism cannot be seen as just a logistical challenge. It reflects how students perceive the value of school, the obstacles they face in getting there, and the strength of the support systems surrounding them. It is, in some ways, a quiet vote of disengagement, and if enough students are quietly opting out day by day, the entire system feels the effects.To shift this pattern, attendance has to mean more than showing up. It has to feel purposeful, connected, and safe. Schools, families, and communities need to build that culture together, and quickly.As the 2025–2026 school year begins, the message is clear. The US Department of Education has made the tools available. Now, it is up to every state, district, and school to turn that guidance into action and to make sure that students are not just counted as enrolled, but present in every sense of the word.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
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