Schools facing another growing problem: chronic absenteeism
Published On Aug 29, 2024, 3:18 AM
Chronic absenteeism in schools has surged, with nearly one in four children missing significant school days, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2020-2021 school year, approximately 14.7 million students were classified as chronically absent, indicating a marked increase from pre-pandemic figures. This prolonged absenteeism is not only detrimental to academic performance but also poses risks to mental health and job readiness among students. Schools are implementing initiatives to address this issue, focusing on fostering a safe and engaging environment to encourage attendance.