Assessing Changes in Chronic Absenteeism Behaviors Over Time: Evidence From the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–2011

• In Event: 53.034 - Family and School Contexts in Early Childhood: Effects on Academic and Developmental Outcomes

Abstract

We assessed changes in the probability of chronic absenteeism over time for a nationally representative cohort of kindergarteners from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-11. Using Hierarchical General Linearized Modeling (HGLM), we found that that the probability of chronic absenteeism, overall, does not significantly change from kindergarten to second grade once accounting for confounders. However, we did find that the rate of change in chronic absenteeism behaviors significantly differs by both socioeconomic status (SES) and racial/ethnic groups. Children from lower SES backgrounds relative to those in the highest SES group experience an increased probability of chronic absenteeism over time. Also, African American children face higher odds of chronic absenteeism every year versus their White counterparts.

Authors

• Kevin A. Gee, University of California - Davis

• Michael A. Gottfried, University of California - Santa Barbara