Chronic Absence Rate
What does this measure?
This indicator measures the chronic absence rate of public school students in the Hudson Valley region and New York State, broken down by counties Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Sullivan, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester. Chronic absence is defined as students missing a significant portion of the school year (typically 10% or more of total school days), which can negatively affect academic performance and long-term educational outcomes. The data provides both the number of chronically absent students and the percentage of the total student population they represent, spanning school years from 2017–2018 to 2022–2023. In recent years, this measure has only applied to elementary and middle schools.
Summary Statement
The data reveals an increase in chronic absenteeism across all counties and the state as a whole following the COVID-19 pandemic. In Orange County, for instance, the chronic absence rate rose from 12.7% in 2017–2018 to 23.8% in 2022–2023. Statewide, the rate nearly doubled, increasing from 15.4% to 26.4%. Sullivan County consistently reported the highest rates, peaking at 35.3% in 2022–2023. These trends highlight a growing concern about student engagement and school attendance, likely influenced by pandemic-related disruptions, mental health challenges, and other barriers to consistent attendance. The data suggests a pressing need for school systems to implement targeted interventions to reduce absenteeism and re-engage students.
Source
https://www.nyskwic.org/get_data/indicator_profile.cfm?subIndicatorID=547