Chronic absenteeism is a significant issue affecting K-12 schools across the United States. Defined as missing 10% or more of school days in a year, chronic absenteeism goes beyond occasional absences due to illness or family emergencies. It reflects a persistent pattern of missing school, which can severely impact a student’s academic performance, health, and overall success. Recent research has illuminated the profound effects of chronic absenteeism, making it clear that addressing this issue is crucial for student success.
One of the most direct impacts of chronic absenteeism is on academic achievement. Students who miss significant amounts of school fall behind in their coursework, leading to lower grades and standardized test scores. A study by the Attendance Works and Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University found that students who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are much less likely to read proficiently by the end of third grade. This early literacy milestone is critical, as students not reading at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
These academic setbacks can have long-term consequences, limiting students’ opportunities for higher education and employment.
Research indicates that chronically absent students are less likely to pursue postsecondary education. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that chronic absenteeism is positively correlated with non-enrollment in college. Those who do attend college are more likely to need remedial courses and less likely to complete their degree.
The skills and habits developed during K-12 education, such as time management, responsibility, and perseverance, are critical for success in higher education and beyond. Chronic absenteeism undermines the development of these skills, leaving students ill-prepared for the demands of college and the workforce.
Students learn more than just academic skills in K-12, and so when they miss a substantial amount of school, they also miss out on critical social-emotional development. Research out of the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies found that students with high absence rates scored lower in measures of growth mindset, social awareness, self-efficacy, and self-management than students who attended school regularly. Impacts on social-emotional development are strongest at the elementary and middle school levels and differ by age range: While students who are chronically absent in elementary school experience more substantial negative impacts on self-efficacy and social awareness, absenteeism affects self-efficacy and self-management most significantly in middle school and social awareness most significantly in high school. Overall, it’s clear students who are frequently absent miss out on opportunities to build meaningful relationships and develop healthy mindsets toward learning and development.
Frequent absences can also be both a symptom and a cause of health issues. Students who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions may find it difficult to attend school regularly. Asthma, obesity, and parental mental health are also correlated with poor attendance records. Conversely, missing school can exacerbate feelings of isolation and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that is hard to break.
Without the routine and support that school provides, students may also miss out on access to mental health resources available through school counselors and social workers.
Studies also note the potential long-term physical health impacts of chronic absenteeism. Higher rates of education and academic success are correlated with improved physical and mental health, and the inverse is also true. Those whose academic success is negatively impacted by chronic absenteeism are at increased risk for poor health later in life.
Image from the Health Policy Snapshot | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The effects of chronic absenteeism extend beyond the individual student to impact the broader school culture. High rates of absenteeism can create a sense of instability and disrupt the learning environment for all students. For example, teachers may need to spend additional time helping chronically absent students catch up, which can detract from instructional time for the rest of the class. This can create ripple effects on students’ academic performance, engagement, and staff morale.
Like student health, school culture can both contribute to chronic absenteeism and be a result of it. A study of urban schools from the Journal of School Psychology found that students reported poorer school climates in schools with higher rates of absenteeism and that attendance was poorer in schools designated as “climate challenged.” This suggests a mutually reinforcing relationship between poor school climate and poor attendance.
The impact of chronic absenteeism on student success is far-reaching and multifaceted. Understanding the severity of this issue is essential for educators, families, and policymakers who aim to support student success. While the solutions to chronic absenteeism are complex and varied, recognizing its profound effects is a crucial first step in addressing this pervasive problem. Ensuring that all students have the opportunity to attend school regularly is fundamental to their academic, personal, and future success.