How will the new Mayor and Governor tackle chronic absenteeism in NY?

NY families heard from elected officials that they should keep their kids at home to keep them and others safe. Families have internalized that advice. They need to hear a different message now.

"Michael’s depression, anxiety, and ADHD made the transition to high school painful. Then the pandemic hit, and he spent his sophomore year at home in pajamas.

When schools fully reopened his junior year, Michael refused to return, and he was later hospitalized for attempting suicide. After that alarming episode, a psychiatrist gave Catherine pointed advice: drive your son to his Queens school every day, even just to see the building, or he may never go back.

Despite her son’s resistance, she made Michael get into their beat-up Hyundai Sonata and drive the 2.5 miles past the campus nearly every day for weeks. Eventually, he was able to step inside the school building and attend for longer stretches during summer school, with its less demanding schedule.

Then, remarkably, he returned full time for senior year." (from NY Chalbeat)

Michael's experience with mental health issues may be unusual, but it provides valuable insights for the 1/3 of NYC students who are chronically absent. Establishing the habit of attending school regularly and on time is crucial; once broken, it is challenging to restore and can significantly impact a child's future.

Chronic absenteeism is a reliable predictor of success, both academically and in life. For instance, a study in Chicago found that 2nd graders who have been chronically absent every year since preschool are, on average, three times more likely to require intensive reading intervention to achieve grade-level proficiency by third grade. The National Center for Education Statistics has noted that "high school dropouts have a history of negative behaviors, including high levels of absenteeism throughout their childhood, compared to higher rates observed among graduates." Furthermore, a study utilizing Census and FBI data indicates that high absenteeism correlates with poor job prospects, reduced health outcomes, and greater involvement in the criminal justice system.

Currently, New York is facing alarming levels of chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% of school days. New York City public schools entered the pandemic with a 25% chronic absenteeism rate, which rose to 34.8% by the end of the 2023–24 school year. The situation is even more concerning upstate, with Buffalo experiencing a 62.2% rate and Rochester at 59.2% of students chronically absent.

These statistics hinder efforts to address other educational challenges, such as literacy and learning loss. For example, NYC has revamped its early literacy programs and introduced three new curricula based on the latest reading science, aiming to improve the number of students reading at grade level. However, recent NAEP data shows that 53% of NYC 4th graders are below basic reading proficiency, and with over 40% of kindergarteners and 35% of 1st graders chronically absent, these literacy initiatives are unlikely to reach the students who need them most.

To tackle this issue, city and state officials must make reducing absenteeism a top priority. Unfortunately, our state officials have recently moved in the opposite direction by eliminating chronic absenteeism as a measure of school success.

Another essential step would be for the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to provide timely data on this issue. Rhode Island maintains an online database of chronic absenteeism that is updated daily, while Connecticut offers monthly updates. In contrast, New York only provides this data nine months after the school year concludes. Given that New York State invests more in education than any other state (91% above the national average for per-pupil funding), there is no reason taxpayers should not have regular access to this information.

This year, New Yorkers will elect a new Governor and a new Mayor for New York City. A critical question for the candidates will be how they plan to ensure our children attend school regularly so we can begin addressing the COVID learning loss and improve their reading skills. The new Governor and Mayor must develop a public messaging campaign for families about the importance of regular school attendance, particularly in the early grades.

For the past few years, New York families heard from elected officials that they should keep their kids at home to keep them and others safe. Families have internalized that advice. Unless they hear a different message, this behavior will continue.

Read more: Chronic Absenteeism Is Hampering School Improvement Efforts in New York City