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The lingering chronic absenteeism issue in American schools

 A masked student walks the hallway at Worthington Kilbourne High School in March 2021, as students came back to in-person learning with a mask mandate in place.
Daniel Konik
/
Statehouse News Bureau
A masked student walks the hallway at Worthington Kilbourne High School in March 2021, as students came back to in-person learning with a mask mandate in place.

More than two years after most schools resumed in-person classes, absences are still skyrocketing.

One in four Ohio children are chronically absent from school. Even as concerns about COVID-19 have faded, attitudes about going to school every day have changed. One group recently called the no-show numbers a crisis.

We’re talking today about chronic absenteeism across the U.S. and the novel ways districts are trying to solve the problem.

Guests:

  • Alec MacGillis, senior reporter, ProPublica
  • Rep. Adam Bird, Chair, Ohio House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
  • Chad Aldis, vice president for Ohio policy, Fordham Institute
  • Liz Cohen, policy director, FutureEd, Georgetown University

If you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

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