Chronic Absenteeism Among Students of Color: Implications for Policy

• In Event: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Building Systems for Racial Justice and Equity

Abstract

Chronic absenteeism is considered a “wicked problem,” in that it is a multilayered
phenomenon whose solution requires investments from stakeholders spanning
numerous policy arenas (Childs & Grooms, 2017; Childs & Lofton, 2021). Students are chronically absent if they miss at least 10% of the school year (or 18 days) for any
reason, including excused absences or suspensions (Chang & Romero, 2008). Students
of color have higher absentee rates than white students—23% of Native American, 21%
of Pacific Islander, 17% of Black, and 14% of Hispanic/Latinx students are chronically
absent as compared to 13% of white students (US DOE, 2017).

Authors

• Joshua Childs, The University of Texas at Austin

• Ain A. Grooms, The University of Iowa

• Sheneka M. Williams, Michigan State University