State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has raised concerns over a report by the Helios Foundation, which highlights significant levels of chronic absenteeism among high school students in Arizona. Chronic absenteeism is identified as missing nine days in a semester or 18 days in a year.
Horne emphasized the success of the Dysart Unified School District in reducing absentee rates through stringent measures. He said, “The Helios Foundation found that grades 1-8 in Arizona have a chronic absentee rate of 28.1 percent, and grades 9-12 have rate of 37 percent. This is catastrophic. We cannot teach students who are not in school. The high school student who misses more than one third of his classes is facing a bleak future.”
He praised Dysart’s approach, noting their significantly lower absentee rates: “The best solution that we have found is the Dysart School District. Their chronic absenteeism for grades 1-8 is 9 percent compared to 28.1 percent statewide. For grades 9-12, Dysart’s rate is 8.69 percent compared to Arizona‘s rate of 37percent.” Horne attributed this success to policies requiring students with excessive absences to repeat grades or lose course credits.
Horne also pointed out the role of parents in ensuring regular attendance, stating, “The principal factor for students going to school daily is the parents.” He mentioned that during COVID-19, some parents became accustomed to their children missing school without seeing it as problematic.
As part of his conclusion, Horne asserted that once parents understand how chronic absenteeism can affect graduation timelines, they become more committed to ensuring their children attend school regularly.
The State of Arizona Department of Education continues to monitor and address these issues within its districts.
