Grand Canyon Times

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has called for significant changes to address the high rate of chronic absenteeism among public school students. He suggests that local schools implement stricter policies, such as failing a student after nine unexcused absences and counting five tardies as an absence.

Horne emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The idea that a third of our students are missing 18 days of school or more is a real catastrophe and an emergency for our state. We need radical efforts to solve this problem." He believes these measures will motivate parents to ensure their children attend school regularly, which in turn would improve academic outcomes.

The call for action follows data presented by the Phoenix-based Helios Foundation at a State Board of Education meeting. The foundation's report highlighted a sharp increase in absenteeism rates across almost all grade levels during the 2022-23 school year compared to pre-pandemic levels. Absenteeism rates rose from approximately nine percent in the 2019-20 school year to 30 percent in 2022-23.

Horne further explained, “90 percent of my time and energy and that of the department is geared toward students getting better academic results and raising proficiency rates. You can’t do that for kids who don’t show up in school; you can’t teach a student who is not there.”

Arizona defines chronic absence as missing 10 percent or more of the school year for any reason while enrolled at a given school, equating to 18 days missed in a typical 180-day school year if no change in schools occurs.

A copy of the Helios report is available for review.