14 States Commit to Halve Chronic School Absenteeism by 2029
The initiative aims to tackle the surge in absentee rates that nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting millions of students nationwide.
- Maryland and 13 other states have pledged to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50% over the next five years.
- Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% of school days, rose from one in six students pre-pandemic to nearly one in three post-pandemic.
- Economically disadvantaged and minority students face the highest rates of chronic absenteeism, with significant disparities across racial and economic lines.
- Michigan's chronic absenteeism rate slightly decreased to 29.5% last year but remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
- Educational leaders emphasize the need for collaborative efforts to address barriers to attendance, such as health, transportation, and family engagement.
Baltimore Sun 
Chalkbeat 