State reports decline in chronically absent students

After skyrocketing during the pandemic, the number of students considered "chronically absent" from school is finally starting to drop, though still well above pre-COVID levels.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell Johnston announced during a state education board meeting on Tuesday that there was a 20% reduction in the number of students missing 18 or more days of school in the academic year that is winding down.

In March 2023, about 24.5% of students were considered chronically absent, or missing more than 10% of the 180 day school year. That dropped to 19.6% this March, representing about 45,000 students who missed significant school time last school year but did not this year.

Officials have warned that missing more than 10% of school can put students behind their peers, and students across the board are struggling to make up for learning losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our definition of 10% of absenteeism is not random. There's a reason for that, it's because studies have pretty clearly shown that by the time you've missed 10% of your schooling you are going to experience academic impacts, in addition to all the other losses," board member Michael Moriarty said last year. "Families could work very hard to get absences excused every chance they get, but that doesn't lessen the academic outcome."

On Tuesday, Johnston said, "We know that districts, families and students have been working together to improve attendance. And we're pleased to see these numbers moving in the right direction. But by no means are we through by no means are we done."

Prior to COVID-19 closing schools, about 13% of students used to be considered chronically absent.

Chronic absenteeism has risen around the country and across grade levels.

Asked by board of education chair Katherine Craven what caused the change in attendance, Johnston replied that there has been a concerted effort to raise awareness with families.

"The way in which our districts and families have really worked together, in order to engage families more successfully, engage students more deliberately, and create a learning environment where students come to school and feel that sense of connection, that sense of being known and valued," he said.

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper said her district, which is the largest in the state, has also seen a decline in students facing significant absences.

She said the problem is worse in secondary schools. At the height of the problem in 2021, over 35% of high school students in Massachusetts were missing over 10% of school.

Officials have attributed these absences to illness from COVID-19 or other viruses, the effects of Long Covid on young people, a rise in mental health issues in teenagers and children, as well as a changing culture with students and families around the necessity of kids being in school every day.

"Our young people who are in high school have the ability to vote with their feet, different than other grades where a parent ensures a kid gets to school or has that voice," Skipper said. "And I think our high school students, for a variety of reasons, post-pandemic had some of the same awakenings that adults did in wanting to make choices or see value in things that previously you just assumed they did."

A lot of students got jobs during the pandemic, and got accustomed to bringing money into their households or supporting themselves, she added. Because more kids are focused on working, Skipper said Boston is placing greater emphasis on creating pre-career opportunities.

"This is actually allowing them to get their skills, but it's also allowing them to get internships, job shadows, mentorships," Skipper said. "It's really tapping, I think, into our young people's need of that 'why' for them. Of, 'why am I going to school? And not feeling like I'm going because learning is irrelevant, but actually learning is very relevant. And without it, I'm not going to be able to sustain a life living wherever I want to live.'"