Close to 6% of children in the United States were chronically absent from school due to injury, illness, or disability in 2022, according to Education Slice.
A new report reveals that chronic absenteeism among public school students in the U.S. grew by more than 90% between the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 school years.
Data indicates that white and Hispanic children, along with those from the lowest income households, were more likely to miss class due to health-related reasons. The report highlights the negative impact of chronic school absenteeism on academic performance, school engagement, and the risk of school dropout.
Efforts to address the issue include targeted interventions and early warning systems. Access to healthcare is also identified as a key factor affecting school attendance. Strategies such as school nurses, school-based health clinics, and telehealth are recommended to help improve attendance rates.
Education Slice
