1 in 4 US students were chronically absent during the 2022-23 school year, affecting over 12 million children in 42 states and Washington DC.
Nearly one in four US students remained chronically absent during the 2022-23 school year, with over 12 million children affected in 42 states and Washington DC. Schools are working to address attendance issues by identifying students with slipping attendance and providing support, including initiatives such as communication gap closure with parents, creative approaches like $50 weekly payments for perfect attendance, and efforts to create a sense of belonging and provide mental health support. Oakland, California launched a program that paid 45 students $50 weekly for perfect attendance and offered daily check-ins and weekly mental health assessments, resulting in over 60% of participants improving their attendance. Chronically absent students are at higher risk of illiteracy, dropping out, and missing out on school resources like meals, counseling, and socialization.