Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Early Education

As the old adage states, children cannot learn if they are not present in school. This applies equally to young students and teenagers alike.

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Since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has emerged as a significant national issue. Often, the focus is on teenagers who fail to attend school due to rebellion, boredom, or lack of parental control. However, early education absenteeism among young students is a critical concern that deserves attention.

Alarmingly, about 35% of kindergartners across the nation are chronically absent. In Maryland, the rate is lower, which is encouraging, yet it remains considerably high. More detailed analysis of Maryland’s specific rates is discussed later in the article.