Study finds 10 percent of Virginia schoolchildren are chronically absent

A University of Virginia study found that about 1 in 10 Virginia schoolchildren missed 18 or more days of school in the 2014-2015 school year, offering the first statewide look at a problem that research has shown can derail a child’s education.

The study’s report aims to shine a light on the issue of chronic absenteeism across Virginia. Luke C. Miller, a research assistant professor who co-wrote the report, said he hopes it inspires more research into why students miss class and how to address it.

Educators have long focused on attendance issues, aware that students who miss class can quickly fall behind and have a difficult time catching up. Schools were previously more focused on overall attendance rates, which can mask the fact that some students are consistently missing class.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/study-finds-10-percent-of-virginia-schoolchildren-are-chronically-absent/2016/10/05/ca705c30-8b29-11e6-b24f-a7f89eb68887_story.html