The U.S. rate of persistent absenteeism has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Chronic absenteeism can seriously affect a student's ability to do well in school and graduate on time. In the 2021-22 school year, nearly 15 million students were chronically absent. This means that two-thirds of U.S. K-12 students went to schools where at least 20% of the students were missing a significant amount of class.
Chronic absenteeism harms students by causing them to miss necessary instruction, making it harder to keep up with lessons, perform in school, and understand key concepts. This often leads to lower grades, poor test scores, and an increased chance of falling behind. Over time, students who are frequently absent may struggle to develop essential skills like reading and math, which are crucial for success in higher education or entering the workforce. In the long run, chronic absenteeism increases the risk of students dropping out of school altogether, limiting their future opportunities and career options.