Nearly one in four children is chronically absent from school today, a growing concern alongside the ongoing shortages of bus drivers and teachers. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant rise in absenteeism, reaching unprecedented levels. Hedy Chang, founder and executive director of Attendance Works—a nonprofit focused on improving student success by addressing chronic absenteeism—reports that during the 2020-2021 school year, over 14.7 million students were chronically absent, a stark increase from the 8 million recorded before the pandemic. 

Currently, close to 25% of schoolchildren are still missing at least 10% of school days, which Attendance Works defines as chronic absence. This level of absenteeism places students “academically at risk,” jeopardizing their ability to learn to read by third grade, achieve in middle school, and graduate from high school. 

The consequences extend beyond academics; chronic absenteeism also affects students’ mental well-being and job readiness, as consistent attendance is crucial for developing the reliability needed in the workforce. Chang emphasizes that attending school regularly is vital for acquiring essential social skills, such as problem-solving and conflict resolution. 

Students are more likely to attend school when they perceive it as a safe, supportive environment where they feel connected, whether through relationships with teachers or participation in clubs and sports. However, the pandemic eroded these “positive conditions for learning,” and efforts are now needed to rebuild these crucial relationships. 

Additionally, Chang and Paula Hubbert, vice president of the Missouri School Boards’ Association, note that heightened parental caution about sending children to school when mildly ill has contributed to ongoing absenteeism, reflecting lingering concerns from the pandemic era.