Chronic absenteeism continues to be a problem even after the pandemic

New Jersey Students Missing More School Than Before Pandemic

New Jersey students are facing a concerning trend of increased chronic absenteeism, according to statewide data released on Wednesday. The rate of chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, has risen to 16.6% in the 2022-2023 school year, up from 10.6% before the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is particularly pronounced among marginalized groups, with higher rates seen among Black, Hispanic, nonbinary, economically disadvantaged, English learners, and students with disabilities. Homeless students have the highest rate of chronic absenteeism at 41.3%, followed by students in foster care at 27.3%.

While there has been a slight improvement from the previous school year, with 18.1% of students being chronically absent, State Board of Education member Nedd Johnson expressed concern, stating, “If they’re not there, you can’t teach them. They can’t learn.”

The increase in chronic absenteeism in New Jersey mirrors a national trend, with rates climbing from 15% in 2018-2019 to 26% in 2022-2023 across the country. Despite New Jersey having the lowest rate compared to other states, there is still work to be done. More than one-fifth of New Jersey students missed more than 15 days of school in the most recent academic year.

The state Department of Education attributes the rise in absenteeism to factors such as sickness or exposure to COVID-19. Assistant Commissioner of Education Kathleen Ehling highlighted the importance of addressing root causes of chronic absenteeism, which can vary by district, school, and student. Barriers to attendance, aversion to school, disengagement from school, and misconceptions about the impact of absences are common factors contributing to absenteeism.

To combat chronic absenteeism, districts with rates of 10% or higher are required to develop corrective action plans. These plans involve identifying barriers to attendance and implementing recommendations to address them. The state Education Department is also focusing on creating safe and supportive school environments, with an emphasis on mental health as a potential contributing factor to absenteeism.

In districts like Newark, Millburn, and Toms River, varying rates of chronic absenteeism were reported, with economically disadvantaged students facing higher rates. Some districts, such as Camden and Trenton, saw rates exceeding 40%.

Board member Mary Bennett highlighted the impact of pandemic-related trauma on students, urging districts to take a holistic approach to address the well-being of students and families. The state Department of Education has launched resources and tools to help districts combat chronic absenteeism, emphasizing data-based decision-making and sample corrective action plans. An attendance toolkit and awareness campaign resources are also set to be released soon.