University of Virginia, Luke Miller, and Amanda Johnson. The report finds that one of every 10 students in Virginia was chronically absent in the 2014-15 school year, with higher rates in Norfolk (1 out of every 7 students), in Richmond and Petersburg (1 out of every 5 students). The analysis shows that chronic absenteeism rates are particularly high among high-schoolers, low performing students and students who move between schools. Using data from the Virginia Longitudinal Data System that span the school years 2004-05 to 2014-15 school year, the analysis gives an initial look at chronic absence in Virginia and three challenged school divisions. While the authors recommend additional research, they note their findings can be used to inform the state’s developing policy and research on chronic absenteeism and can serve as a benchmark to judge interventions.