We can't ignore the big problem of chronic absenteeism in our schools

There is a saying that the first day of school is the most important. Research is replete with suggestions and advice for educators about how to promote a positive atmosphere in the classroom on the first day, and the need to establish ground rules and expectations as students enter their classrooms for the first time.

The same message is given to parents. Rallying cries and media attention focus on making sure that the first day of school is well-attended. The build-up generally starts late in the summer, when parents purchase new clothes for their child and take them to the barbershop or hair stylist. In fact, it’s not uncommon for free haircuts to be offered to students during this busy time.

But regrettably, this enthusiasm and focus on attendance dwindles during the school year. And the problem is a national one. According to Attendance Works, chronic absenteeism — defined as students missing more than 10% of school days — rose dramatically in K-12 schools, from 16% to 30% during the pandemic, and has only declined slightly since then.

In my district, South Holland District 151, chronic absenteeism is now 33%. While we have improved from 38% in 2022-2023, we still have a long way to go. Larger school districts like Chicago Public Schools, where chronic absenteeism is 40%, face even more challenges. And while there's often the perception that student attendance woes don’t impact certain communities, wealthier school districts have also experienced major increases in absenteeism.

So, why is this happening? How can this be improved? Educators and administrators are often stunned by how nonchalant some parents and guardians are about the importance of student attendance and the impact it has on learning. Reasons include, but aren’t limited to: "We took a vacation," "It was my child’s birthday," "My child didn’t feel like going to school," or "My child deserved a break."

As a school administrator, I often feel frustrated when I hear these reasons, knowing the negative impact on student learning.

Students pay high academic price

It’s often said that the pandemic caused a major paradigm shift regarding how schools are viewed. This school year, it’s time to modify the statement that "the first day of school is the most important. Let’s say instead that "every day is the most important day in school." Changing the mindset of our youth is essential. We must also connect with parents and let them know that taking a day off from school is not a way to celebrate a child's birthday — it's a lost opportunity to learn something new on that special day. Parents also need to save those vacations for spring break or the summertime.

Economists often talk about "opportunity cost" when discussing the choices that businesses or investors make when they choose one option over another. The phrase also has a great deal of relevance when discussing basic things in life. Going to school should not be a grandiose accomplishment, but a daily expectation. The opportunity for a child to learn and improve is available every time a student attends school.

The cost of not attending — the "opportunity cost" — is often seen in higher dropout rates for students with poor attendance. According to the U.S. Department of Education, irregular school attendance can be a better predictor than test scores of whether students will drop out of high school. And students who drop out are more likely to run afoul of the law, work in lower-paying jobs, and live in a cycle of poverty.

It's time for all stakeholders, including our elected officials, to work tirelessly to help tackle this enormous challenge. Possible legislation could include mandated counseling or other interventions for chronically absent students and their parents, and mandatory court appearances and possible fines, if all else fails. These recommendations demonstrate the dire need to improve the lives of our youth.

School districts across the country are implementing incentive programs, forming committees to make home visits when students are not attending school regularly, hiring additional staff to help with mental health issues, and collaborating with social service agencies. But it’s simply not enough. More help is needed.

Jerald McNair has a Ph.D. in education and a master's degree in public policy. He is a school administrator in South Holland School District 151.

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