Overview

• New Jersey's chronic absenteeism rate rose to 16.6% in the 2022-23 school year, up from 10.6% before the pandemic, with higher rates among marginalized groups.
• Homeless students and those in foster care face the highest rates of chronic absenteeism, at 41.3% and 27.3% respectively.
• Despite a slight improvement from the previous year, officials express urgent concern over the continued high rates of absenteeism.
• Nationwide, chronic absenteeism has increased, with New Jersey showing the lowest rate among states that have reported data.
• Schools with a chronic absenteeism rate of 10% or higher are required to develop corrective action plans, with the state providing resources to address the issue.