TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – One in three Arizona students is missing too much school, and leaders are split on how to solve the problem.
The Helios Education Foundation released numbers showing 34 percent of high schoolers are chronically absent. That means they miss 10 percent of the school year, or nine days, per semester.
Absenteeism remains higher than pre-pandemic levels
Absenteeism in Arizona is still higher than before the pandemic. In 2018, 24 percent of high school students and 14 percent of students in K-8 were absent. Across the board, absenteeism gets worse in high school.
Absenteeism is still between 10 and 15 percent higher than before the pandemic. The pandemic may continue to be a factor, but leaders agree it’s time for solutions.
Leaders propose different approaches
State Superintendent Tom Horne calls on schools to toughen up.
“If you miss 9 days in a semester, or 18 in a year – you don’t get credit. Or at the elementary school level, you have to repeat the grade,” Supt. Horne said.
But Dr. Paul Perrault from the Helios Education Foundation says punishments don’t work.
“The way we’ve looked at the research really shows that positive reinforcements have much more favorable results,” Dr. Perrault said.
Pima County Schools Superintendent Dustin Williams takes a third approach. He says schools need more state support.
“We need training in those areas, we need funding in those areas…right now in Arizona, the school funding model is not good,” Supt. Williams said.
In rural Cochise County, Superintendent Jacqui Clay is thinking outside the box. She’s asking students for solutions.
“I need to know what’s in the minds of those who are actually in the classroom… They have a voice, and basically, they tell me what time it is,” Clay said.
The answer surprised her – bullying.
“And the problem with bullying is we could have had the cure for cancer by now, but the person who would do that probably didn’t come to school because they were bullied!” Supt. Clay said.
Impact on student success
Leaders have different solutions but agree on one thing. Students must be in school to succeed. Research shows when kids miss class, grades drop, limiting future opportunities.
“That’s really the challenge we’re looking at. If students aren’t in high school, that’s not going to set them up well for college and career,” Dr. Perrault said.
The largest district in southern Arizona — Tucson Unified School District — declined an interview at this time but sent a statement:
“Chronic absenteeism is a nationwide challenge, and the Tucson Unified School District is committed to addressing it directly. The Department of Alternative Education is currently in the early stages of developing a comprehensive plan to combat chronic absenteeism across the district. This effort that involves collaboration with other key TUSD departments. We will share the details and its actionable components as soon as it is finalized.”
Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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