Is a Three-Week School Absence Not an Issue? That's the View of a Quarter of Students

In a recent survey conducted by the RAND Corp. between March and May, it was revealed that one-quarter of students do not consider missing three or more weeks of school in a single academic year to be a problem. This surprising finding is just one of many insights that the report has provided, shedding light on the complex issue of chronic absenteeism.

The survey also revealed other reasons for student absences, including feeling down or anxious (10%), oversleeping (9%), being uninterested (7%), caring for a family member (4%), lack of transportation (3%), and work conflicts (1%). However, it's worth noting that the most common reason for student absences is still illness (67%).

The pandemic has undoubtedly impacted the way schools and families approach children's sicknesses. Some district leaders believe that an overcorrection has occurred, encouraging children to stay home even for mild symptoms. This trend is particularly evident in urban school districts, where more than 30% of students were chronically absent, according to the RAND report.

Chronic absenteeism has long been a problem in districts, but it has swollen since the pandemic and remains high, slowing students' ability to recover academically from the time they spent out of school. This is a concern not just for educators, but for parents as well. According to a 2024 poll by NPR and Ipsos, nearly 60% of parents of school-aged children think chronic absenteeism is a problem.

The report indicates that there is more to unpack about kids' attitudes towards missing school. It suggests that students may be using "sickness" as a broad term to include mental health struggles. This is a crucial finding, as it highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to understanding and addressing absenteeism.

Teachers tend to view chronically absent students less favorably, and teacher morale suffers when students are consistently out of class. This adds more layers to an already complex problem. Diliberti, a researcher involved in the study, suggests that there is a need to undo patterns and habits created during the pandemic regarding children's attendance in school.

The survey also revealed that 82% of students reported missing at least some school in the 2024-25 school year. This statistic, along with the high rates of chronic absenteeism, underscores the need for districts to help reset parents' expectations about when it is appropriate for children to attend school.

The RAND researchers cautioned that the estimates of chronic absenteeism rates are subject to some degree of uncertainty. However, they also noted that the main reasons for student absences in urban school districts include greater social challenges such as higher rates of families with migration backgrounds and socioeconomic disadvantages, which can affect attendance. Additionally, urban schools often face resource constraints and more complex student needs, contributing to higher absenteeism.

In conclusion, the RAND Corp.'s survey provides valuable insights into the complex issue of chronic absenteeism. It highlights the need for schools and districts to reopen conversations with parents about the benefits of in-person schooling and clarify when it is appropriate for children to stay home due to illness or send them to school, even if they are not feeling well. It also underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to understanding and addressing absenteeism, taking into account the various factors that contribute to it.

Is a Three-Week School Absence Not an Issue? That's the View of a Quarter of Students