A school classroom is seen with empty desks and chairs facing a blackboard at the front of the room.

Chronic absenteeism in school: Research and resources to improve student attendance

Students cannot benefit from the resources and supports schools provide if those students do not show up. And in far too many schools, children are regularly missing class.

Chronic absenteeism is defined in Ohio as missing at least 10% of instructional time for any reason. In the 2023-24 school year, one out every four students in Ohio was chronically absent. The absenteeism rate was higher for certain groups, including students of color, students in households with low income, and students with disabilities. Urban districts also saw higher rates of absenteeism; in Ohio’s five largest enrollment districts, more than 40% of students were chronically absent.

Chronic absenteeism results in students having fewer opportunities to develop the academic and social-behavioral skills needed to allow for a successful future. Indeed, students who are chronically absent in high school have less than a 10% chance of graduating on time, which has many downstream economic impacts, including lower-status occupations, higher rates of unemployment, and lower earnings. Accordingly, solving the critical problem of poverty requires a focus on reducing chronic absenteeism. And reducing economic and social disparities requires that we intervene as early and as frequently as possible before small attendance problems become much bigger attendance problems.

Crane researchers have been examining the factors that prevent students from getting to school, and we offer resources to families, educators, and policymakers.

Chronic absenteeism means missing more than 10% of instructional time

More than 40% of students were chronically absent from some of Ohio’s largest school districts

CRANE RESOURCES ON CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

Image of the tip sheet for parents on school attendance.

A tip sheet for parents and caregivers on what they can do to help ensure their children attend school.

Attendance-cover-school

A one-pager with research insights for educators on how they can help make attendance a priority for students and their families.

Empty Classroom In Elementary School With Whiteboard And Desks

A summary of research on the long-term consequences of school absenteeism.

Empty desks and chairs are seen in an elementary school classroom. The desks and chairs are black. The walls of the classroom are white. On the back wall of the classroom are wall boards with various displays. On the right side of the image is a wall of windows, all but one of which is covered by black window shades.

Information on a current project in partnership with Columbus City Schools to reduce absenteeism.

Image of the Before the Bell brief which shows children walking a gradient path to school. Each piece of the walkway contains words that are obstacles to attendance, such as housing insecurity.

A news story covering how Dr. Ansari was invited along with colleagues to share research and a new brief on chronic absenteeism at the White House.