THE 2022 ILLINOIS SCHOOL REPORT CARD SHOWS AN INCREASE IN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AMONG STUDENTS. 

ALTHOUGH STUDENTS RESUMED FULL IN-PERSON LEARNING LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A TWO PERCENT DROP IN ATTENDANCE RATES. ADDITIONALLY, STATE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT CARMEN AYALA SAYS 30 PERCENT OF STUDENTS MISSED AROUND 17 DAYS OR MORE.

MINORITY STUDENTS WERE MORE LIKELY TO FREQUENTLY MISS SCHOOL. AYALA SAYS THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ALREADY WORKING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM THROUGH TRUANCY INTERVENTION, COUNSELING AND HOME VISITS.

AYALA SAYS THE REPORT CARD FOUND THAT BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE CHRONICALLY ABSENT FROM SCHOOL.