The Impact of Absenteeism on Academic Performance
By: Jack Dong
Image by PowerSchool
In recent years, school districts around the country have seen an increase in chronic absenteeism from pre-pandemic levels. These increases aren’t just observed in low-income and minority school districts, but in all types of schools, from the wealthy to rural districts. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing more than 10% of school days in a given school year for any reason (US Department of Education). Although some of these absences are unavoidable, they do accumulate and negatively impact a student’s performance in school and in the future. As student performance has declined and as districts recover from the pandemic, addressing chronic absenteeism is a critical step in ensuring academic success, improving student engagement, and fostering a supportive learning environment.
Causes of Chronic Absenteeism
The issue of chronic absenteeism was prevalent before the COVID-19 pandemic. Some contributing factors include illness, unstable housing or transportation, family challenges, and bullying. To begin, many students miss school because they are sick or have a certain medical condition. However, some of these medical issues are treatable and preventable such as asthma attacks. Asthma is one of the leading chronic illnesses that forces students to miss instructional time. Yet, more than 14 million days of school are missed each year in the United States because of untreated asthma (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). This disproportionally affects low-income and minority students because they often lack the resources to treat their asthma and other health conditions (Cineas). Furthermore, it is common for older students in disadvantaged families to stay home and take care of their younger siblings when they are sick because the parents cannot afford child care or afford to take a day off.
Access to transportation and long commutes are some reasons why certain students are more likely to be chronically absent than their peers | Image by Daniel Hurst
Another cause of chronic absenteeism is unstable transportation and long commutes. For students who take the school bus, if they miss it, it often leaves them with no choice but to stay home. Again, students from low-income families are disproportionally affected because they can’t afford a car or the parents are both working and unable to bring their child to school. Another issue is that students with long bus rides (45-60 minutes) may be sleep-derived or stressed, leading to a lack of motivation to attend school. In a study conducted from 2011 to 2017 on New York City students, there was a 12% absenteeism rate among students with long bus rides, much higher than those with shorter rides (Kwapo). Long bus rides don’t just affect rural students but also minority students who may travel long distances to attend a high-quality school as seen with Black students in New York City.
However, after the pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in chronic absenteeism among all students. In 2019, before the pandemic, about 15% of all students were chronically absent, and in 2023, as schools reopened after COVID-19, this figure rose to about 26% of all students (Mervosh and Paris). Experts blame this increase in absenteeism due to a growing awareness of one’s mental health and a change in attitude towards school. Because the pandemic has set many students grade levels behind academically, students have become increasingly stressed and anxious especially when they have an upcoming test. This causes some students to skip school because they have no support around them to cope and are afraid of doing poorly, which only sets them further back. Furthermore, according to Katie Rosanbalm, a psychologist and associate research professor with the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University, “our relationship with school became optional.” As school shifted online, some parents believed that even if their child wasn’t in school, their child could keep up by doing the assignments teachers posted. As a result, schools across the country, primarily in wealthy districts have seen a rise in absenteeism as students embark on vacations during the school year (Mervosh and Paris). Ultimately, the pandemic has exacerbated an existing issue while also bringing about a new set of challenges.
Effects of Chronic Absenteeism
Absenteeism has a direct effect on academic performance and one’s future. Regular attendance allows students to fully engage with the curriculum, participate in class discussions, and build relationships with teachers and peers. When students miss a significant amount of instructional time, they risk falling behind in coursework, missing essential instructions, and losing out on learning opportunities. According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who are chronically absent from preschool to second grade are much less likely to read at grade level by third grade. Consequently, these students are four times more likely to not graduate from high school. There is a correlation between students who are chronically absent in the lower grades and those who drop out; a student who falls behind early is more likely to be chronically absent between eighth and twelfth grade, making them seven times more likely to drop out (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Students who struggle early on may lack the motivation to attend school causing them to fall behind and skip school even more.
Chronic absenteeism starts at a young age and has lasting consequences | Image by Kaylee Greenlee
Teachers often build on previously covered material, and missing even a single lesson can create gaps in knowledge. As the curriculum progresses, these gaps widen, making it harder for students to catch up and as their academic performance dips, their motivation to continue their education declines. Furthermore, one student’s absence affects all students in the classroom because teachers may need to help students make up missed work, slowing down the class and delaying certain lessons (Cineas). Even if the teacher continues with the lesson, the absent student will not be able to be an active participant which affects their ability to engage with the lesson. Classroom participation is essential in reinforcing academic understanding and missing out on these interactions can lead to gaps in knowledge and further absences.
School is an essential environment for developing social skills and building peer relationships. However, chronic absenteeism hinders the opportunities for students to build connections with peers and adults (U.S. Department of Education). Without these social skills, they may lack the skills to work effectively in groups or create relationships with their peers, leading to isolation. Lastly, some long-term impacts of chronic absenteeism include a lower likelihood of attending college and a greater likelihood of unemployment. This can perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality, particularly in underserved communities.
How to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
Finding ways to reduce chronic absenteeism is essential for districts in their attempts to improve test scores and increase student retention. One key step in reducing chronic absenteeism is to identify and address absenteeism early on. From the data, it is clear that students who are chronically absent from a young age are less likely to graduate high school. Thus, schools should track attendance patterns and intervene as soon as students begin to show signs of chronic absence, offering support such as tutoring, mentoring, or counseling services. Additionally, identifying why these students are chronically absent will allow schools to provide the necessary help to reduce these absences. Such help includes connecting the student to a food pantry or providing counseling services (Misha). Providing counseling services can help students feel more equipped to attend school regularly and face academic challenges.
Another step schools can take is creating a welcoming and supportive school environment. When students feel safe, valued, and engaged, they are more likely to attend school regularly. This can involve addressing bullying, promoting inclusivity, and offering extracurricular activities that engage students. Providing make-up sessions or tutoring can help students stay on track despite absences and having clear protocols for catching up on missed work can reduce the burden of trying to catch up on their own. Ultimately, if we want to decrease absenteeism rates we must change the students' relationship with school, starting with changes at the national level.
References
“Chronic Absenteeism.” U.S. Department of Education, www.ed.gov/teaching-and-administration/supporting-students/chronic-absenteeism.
Cineas, Fabiola. “Why so Many Kids Are Still Missing School.” Vox, 9 Jan. 2024, www.vox.com/2024/1/9/23904542/chronic-absenteeism-school-attendance.
Kwapo, Williamena. “Study Links Longer School Bus Rides to Chronic Absenteeism.” Education Week, 16 June 2022, www.edweek.org/leadership/study-links-longer-school-bus-rides-to-chronic-absenteeism/2022/06.
Mervosh, Sarah, and Francesca Paris. “Why School Absences Have ‘exploded’ Almost Everywhere.” The New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/29/us/chronic-absences.html. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Misha, Abbie. “Understanding and Addressing the Surge of Chronic Absenteeism - Edsurge News.” EdSurge, 4 Mar. 2024, www.edsurge.com/news/2024-03-04-understanding-and-addressing-the-surge-of-chronic-absenteeism.
“The Relationship between School Attendance and Health.” The Relationship Between School Attendance and Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Sept. 2016, files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED592870.pdf.
