Chronic Absenteeism is Up in California

Here we are less than two months into the new school year in California, and the lead story is chronic absenteeism, not learning and student success. This EdSource article flags the many reasons — Covid quarantines, Covid concerns, and “…general disengagement from school.” — for the spike in absenteeism. Coincidently, a piece I authored dropped today with the plea that districts invest in two-way communication in an effort to close relationship gaps between educators, students, and parents. Building relationships will absolutely play a major role in reversing California’s attendance declines.