New Mexico has the highest increase in chronic absenteeism in public schools from 2019 to 2023, with 40% of students missing over 10% of school days.

New Mexico leads the nation in the highest increase of chronic absenteeism in public schools from 2019 to 2023, with 40% of students missing over 10% of the school days, according to a recent Legislative Finance Committee report. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing more than 10% of the school days (18 days in a 180-day school year), is linked to lower reading and math proficiency and high school graduation rates. The national average increased by 71% during the same period.

June 14, 2024
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