As the specter of chronic absenteeism continues to loom over schools, Ohio's educators are convening to tackle this persistent issue. A recent symposium put on by The Ohio State University Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy brought minds together at the Columbus campus to hash out strategies to improve student attendance in K-12 education. The urgency of the matter is underscored by statistics indicating chronic absenteeism has spiked nationwide since the pandemic. For context, “Chronic absenteeism” is tagged for kids who skip at least 10% of school days, as detailed in a report by OSU.
The stakes are high, with regular attendance being a bellwether for future success, and the post-pandemic numbers remain stark. Laura Justice, of Crane Center, stated in her opening remarks that "When kids are not in the classroom, we can’t reach them in the way that we want to reach them". Chronic absenteeism, which sat at around 10% before 2020, has surged up to 35% in some districts during the pandemic. While it has diminished somewhat in recent years, it plateaus at an unsettling 25% nationwide, according to OSU professor Arya Ansari, who underscored the gravity of these findings.
The reasons kids miss school extend beyond the common cold. Ansari emphasized the complexity of the issue, noting that underlying causes range from mental health struggles to food insecurity to familial obligations. This layered problem is even more pronounced in districts plagued by high poverty, requiring strategic and intentional interventions. Citing a partnership with Columbus City Schools, Ansari revealed in an interview that a survey showed a clear link between attendance and students' sense of connection at school.
Efforts to ameliorate this troubling trend include several initiatives discussed at the symposium. Panelists suggested on-site wellness services and addressing transportation barriers, and engaging parents in the conversation were also seen as vital for progress. "How are we making families understand that they are a part of the conversation?" asked Valerie Kunze of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, reflecting a need for collaborative solutions, according to OSU. Commending those at the frontlines, the symposium also conferred the Crane Excellence in Early Childhood Awards to individuals like University of Cincinnati researcher Randi Bates, Kent State University’s Heather Null, and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, who has spearheaded the Early Start Columbus education initiative.
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