Arizona is grappling with a significant issue impacting its youth—chronic absenteeism in schools. According to recent recommendations released by ABC15, Read On Arizona has shed light on this growing problem, where roughly 35% of Arizona students in grades 1-8 were chronically absent in 2023. This figure compares distressingly to 2019's pre-pandemic level of 19%.
In an effort to combat the trend, Governor Katie Hobbs has declared Sept. 25, 2024, as Chronic Absence Awareness Day. Working with the presumption that awareness might incite action, the initiative highlights the severe educational setbacks that result from students missing school, whether the absences are excused or unexcused. In an interview obtained by Read On Arizona, Lori Masseur, early learning director at Read On Arizona, stressed, “But it is a problem we can solve,” indicating a shared sentiment among leaders and stakeholders that absenteeism doesn't have to be a permanent scar on the state's educational landscape.
With the pandemic altering family behaviors concerning school attendance, as well as the messaging around staying home when exhibiting any symptoms, schools are facing a tough road to normalcy. "After the pandemic, we did what many other districts did, not just here in Arizona but across the nation, are challenged with undoing the messaging that we gave," explained Betsy Hargrove, the Superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District, in an interview reported by ABC15.
To address these challenges, Read On Arizona has put forward an extensive guide meant to assist schools in curbing chronic absence. The guide consists of prioritized steps such as adopting a goal to slash chronic absenteeism to pre-pandemic levels by 2030 and enrolling cross-sector partners in a statewide awareness campaign. Masseur, speaking on the importance of regular attendance, highlighted in a statement, "We know that if children aren’t consistently in seats, if they’re not consistently in the classroom, they’re missing out on that key instruction." The guide, available on LitHubAZ.org, offers schools and districts strategies to implement preventions and interventions from pre-K through grade 12, ensuring that more students attend school, progress in reading, and march toward graduation. This initiative doubles as an aid for literacy, with Terri Clark, Arizona literacy director at Read On Arizona, stating, "Literacy powers learning. There is no higher priority than making sure our students are proficient readers," recognizing the foundational role of reading skills in a student's academic journey.
