CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Chronic student absenteeism has become a serious problem since the pandemic.
Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley announced in October that chronic absenteeism in Massachusetts public schools increased by 72 percent between 2019 and 2023. This means the student has missed at least 18 days of school.
Biden administration Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona told 22News that absenteeism is a symptom of other problems students are facing.
“Maybe the kids are caring for younger siblings in older grades, or maybe there's no one home because the kids are at work and can't get students off on time. Mental health plays into that, too. We know that schools are at the heart of communities and the best way to support students is to help them navigate any barriers that prevent them from attending school. ” Cardona said.
Students who are absent will not receive school-provided support such as counseling, extracurricular activities, and meals. DESE also said that missing school reduces students' academic performance. The department is currently running a campaign called “Chronic Absence Recovery” to help students return to the classroom.
If you would like to see more one-on-one interviews with Secretary Cardona, you can watch them in full on WWLP.com.
Taylor Knight is a morning anchor and I-Team reporter who has been part of the 22News team since 2018. Follow Taylor on X @TaylorKNews Check out her bio to see more of her work.
