School absenteeism rose during the pandemic and remains high. Kindergarteners show especially high rates of chronic absence. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% of the school year. In Livingston, California, an elementary principal reviews daily absence lists and calls families to encourage attendance. Parents sometimes report logistical barriers, appointments, or that getting to school was difficult. National research found more than one in four students chronically absent last year. California reported more than one in three kindergarteners chronically absent. Districts are engaging in outreach to get young children into school for learning.
In Livingston, Calif., elementary school principal Mayte Ramirez stands at her desk looking over a list of students who were absent today. It's a Monday, and it's longer than usual. RAMIREZ: Out of town, out of town, sick, tardy, sick per mom, sick per mom. TURNER: Ramirez then looks to see who among these kids is now chronically absent. That means they've missed 10% of the school year. She picks a kindergartener.
The pandemic made a mess of school attendance. Nationally, last year, more than 1 in 4 students was chronically absent from school, according to research from the American Enterprise Institute. And in many places, the numbers are even worse for really young students. In California, more than 1 in 3 kindergarteners was chronically absent. And understanding why requires that we put ourselves in the shoes of parents and caregivers.
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