One of the things we learned from the pandemic was that going to school, actually attending school, was very important for children. It was important not only for academic learning but for their development and health, both physical and mental. Showing up at school has a powerful, positive effect on children.
Chronic absenteeism means missing too much school, for any reason, excused or unexcused. Experts and a growing number of states define chronic absenteeism as missing 10% (around 18 days) during the school year. Missing two days a month can add up to chronic absenteeism. Truancy measures only unexcused absences. Healthychildren.org reported that in the 2022-23 school year, over a quarter of U.S. students in kindergarten through 12th -grade missed a month or more of the school year. This is double the number of students who were chronically absent before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Certain groups of students face more challenges attending school than others. Students in kindergarten and first grade, as well as students in high school, are more likely to be chronically absent. Some reasons for missing school cannot be avoided, having an infectious disease is one of them or emergency family circumstances. Missing just two days of school, for any reason, can make life harder. Children who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are less likely to read at grade level by the third grade. For older students, chronic absenteeism is strongly associated with school failure.
If a child misses many days of school or even a few days every month it’s important to consider what’s causing the absences. Students with disabilities, students living in poverty and students of color are more likely to miss school. Some underlying reasons may need medial attention. Children with ADHD, autism or developmental delays are twice as likely to be chronically absent. Children with common chronic illnesses such as asthma and type 1 diabetes miss more school when they have more symptoms. Mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression are common reasons for absences Students experiencing bullying or an unwelcoming school climate are also more likely to miss school. Up to 5% of children have school-related anxiety and may struggle to understand or explain why they refuse to attend school.
The many positive aspects of school are recognized such as, academics, nutritious food, special services such as therapy, occupational, physical, speech, behavioral. School attendance also provides an engaging environment in which young people can build relationships with both peers and adults. They can learn social skills, learn the “do and don’ts” of community, learn their roles and purpose. These intangible skills are harder to measure but as we have learned they are very important for future success.
Parents should recognize early if there’s a problem with chronic absenteeism and help their children by encouraging attendance, getting enough sleep, streamlining the early morning chaos, schedule trips only during school breaks, don’t keep them home unless truly sick, and seek help early if they suspect mental health issues.
by Sally Robinson, MD Clinical Professor
Keeping Kids Healthy
Published 01/2026