How these 3 states are fighting chronic absenteeism

Between the 2018-19 and 2021-22 school years, chronic absenteeism nearly doubled nationwide, from 16% to 28%. Now, that figure is stuck around 23%. These states are trying to fix that.

EdTrust, an education policy and advocacy organization, conducted a 23-state scan analyzing attendance data systems and policies, investment strategies and disciplinary practices to learn how states are addressing local attendance challenges.

Here are some examples.

California

California has been leading statewide efforts to bring students back to school since the pandemic. EdTrust rates California highly for requiring schools to collect data and keep families accountable for bringing their children to school.

California uses multiple attendance monitoring systems, including the California Data Analysis and Reporting Tool and the California School Dashboard. The latter tool makes school and district-level attendance data public.

For example, District Administration was able to access data for the Los Angeles Unified School District, which has implemented several strategic innovations to reduce chronic absenteeism, including making home visits.

While more than 23% of students were chronically absent last year, the district has reduced the number of chronically absent students by nearly 8%, according to the dashboard.

EdTrust also praised California for using early warning indicators through a statewide attendance dashboard to monitor attendance patterns and notify schools and parents when students are at risk.

Tennessee

In Tennessee, students are considered present if they spend at least half of the day in school, and its Education Department collects and reviews chronic absenteeism annually.

Similar to California, the state’s attendance data is publicly available, giving families and educators insight into state, district and school-level information. According to the state’s Education Department, 18.9% of K12 students were chronically absent in the 2023-24 school year.

However, EdTrush grades Tennessee poorly on its efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism. The organization found no evidence of:

• Investments in strategies to increase engagement.
• Setting a clear policy agenda that prioritizes the reduction of chronic absenteeism.
• Making financially sustainable investments to combat chronic absenteeism.

Maryland

In Maryland, state officials are being recognized for their targeted investment strategies to boost attendance. For instance, the state has invested in staffing school counselors, wraparound services, extended learning time, alternative discipline and family engagement.

Furthermore, Maryland has invested $692 million in the Concentration of Poverty Grant, which has distributed $57 million to reduce chronic absenteeism for English learners, according to EdTrust.

The grant is also financially sustainable as the state is able to continuously invest in the program. In fiscal year 2025, schools with more than 55% or more low-income students received nearly $369 million.

Policy is also clear and actionable. The state’s blueprint outlines community schools as a key strategy to reduce chronic absenteeism. It also provides additional allocations and supports to English learners, students with disabilities and students receiving free and reduced meals.