Attendance Works

July 25th, 2012

New Study: Coming to Terms with Chronic Absence in Indiana

At least 55,200 Indiana students – and probably many more – are missing so much school each year that they suffer academically and face a greater risk of dropping out of high school, according to a groundbreaking study released today.

These students are “chronically absent,” missing at least 10 percent of the 180-day school year – 18 days a year, an average of two days a month. That many absences – whether excused or unexcused – correlate with lower scores on state tests and higher dropout rates across Indiana, according to the study initiated by The Indiana Partnerships Center, conducted by the Center for Evaluation & Education Policy at Indiana University and funded by USA Funds and State Farm.

Attendance Works assisted with the study and produced a policy brief recommending changes to Indiana regulations and practices that would ensure better tracking of chronic absence.

The study was released at a news conference today, at which The Indiana Partnerships Center announced a new campaign called “Missing School Matters” to make students, parents and schools aware of the ramifications of chronic absence. Twenty billboards have been placed warning that chronic absenteeism can lead to dropping out, which some studies have shown can lead to teen pregnancy or incarceration.

To read today’s press release, click here.

Posted in Announcements, Research | No Comments »