Flerentin Jean-Baptiste’s frequent absences from Medford High School led him to repeat his first year. He found school monotonous and missed 30 days in that year. However, when the principal introduced organized sports during lunch for students who attended all classes, Jean-Baptiste’s motivation changed. The promise of playtime helped him cut his absences in half the following year, and the school’s overall absenteeism dropped significantly from 35% to 23% between March 2023 and March 2024.
A study by the Associated Press and Stanford economist Thomas Dee revealed that, even years after pandemic-related school closures, attendance issues persist nationwide. In the 2022-23 school year, about 25% of students were chronically absent, missing at least 10% of the year, compared to 15% before the pandemic. Many students view school as overwhelming or stressful after prolonged absences, and some families consider staying home acceptable, complicating efforts to complete coursework.
To address these challenges, schools are adopting creative strategies. In Oakland, California, where chronic absenteeism surged to 53% in 2022-23, officials incentivized attendance by offering $50 weekly to 45 students. This approach improved attendance for 60% of participants. Oakland’s head of social-emotional learning, Zaia Vera, noted that while financial incentives are not sustainable long-term, they were effective for students facing housing instability or family responsibilities.
Similarly, at Medford High School, Principal Marta Cabral found that allowing high school students to play sports at lunch significantly improved attendance. She emphasized that students, who spend seven hours a day at school, benefit from having some fun and physical activity.
Addressing the root causes of absenteeism remains crucial. Financial difficulties, transportation issues, minor illnesses, and mental health struggles are ongoing challenges. For instance, at Fresno’s Fort Miller Middle School, half of the students were chronically absent due to dirty clothing and lack of transportation. The school responded by providing a washer and dryer and transportation for students. As a result, chronic absenteeism dropped to 35% by the end of the 2023 school year.
Fourteen-year-old Melinda Gonzalez, who frequently missed the bus, found that the school’s transportation service significantly improved her attendance. “Getting that ride made a big difference,” she said, highlighting how targeted support can help overcome barriers to regular school attendance.