A Crisis in the Opportunity to Learn: Addressing the Causes and Consequences of Missing School

Abstract

Student absenteeism – particularly chronic absenteeism – is a cause for great concern among school leaders, policymakers, and all education stakeholders. The problem has grown larger in recent years and has been exacerbated further by the COVID-19 pandemic. To stem the tide of student absenteeism, policymakers – including the federal government – have designed systems to hold schools accountable for student attendance. Although well-intentioned, these systems add another layer of complexity to already overwhelmed school leadership. Further, the increased stakes associated with student absenteeism have put it into even greater focus for school leaders and policymakers. With this chapter, we explore the history, current context, and practical solutions to student absenteeism. First, we clarify key terms, followed by an overview of the history of accountability and absenteeism in the United States. Then we examine the current state of school attendance policy, including the influence of absenteeism on school funding formulas and how the Every Student Succeeds Act has heightened the attention and accountability associated with absenteeism. In the second section, we look at who misses school most often, when, and why. We also detail the academic and social consequences of excessive absenteeism. Following that, we review the factors that influence attendance at the elementary and secondary levels. Finally, we discuss school-, classroom-, and family-level strategies that have improved student attendance in specific cases.