State and local education leaders gathered at the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday to address an issue that has become a growing concern: chronic absenteeism among K-12 students. With 17.8% of Indiana’s students — around 219,000 kids — chronically absent in the 2023-24 school year, policymakers and educators are striving to understand why students are missing school and how to combat the problem.
The latest data from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) shows a decline in absenteeism from the pandemic-era peak of 21.1% in 2022. However, many students continue to miss large portions of the academic year, raising concerns about their long-term educational and social development. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 18 or more school days, remains significantly higher for students receiving free or reduced lunch, English language learners, and those facing family hardships.
Indiana’s recently enacted truancy law was meant to address absenteeism, but many educators argue it’s an “unfunded mandate” with little real impact. Some school officials suggest the focus should be on data collection to understand the root causes, which range from post-pandemic habits to family vacations and health issues.
During the session, educators shared examples of creative solutions. In New Castle, the introduction of an “attendance liaison” led to a 20% increase in student attendance at the middle and high school levels. However, policymakers emphasized the need for better parental accountability and improved systems to track both excused and unexcused absences.
As Indiana moves forward, discussions will continue around improving student attendance through early intervention, better data management, and family engagement, with a focus on supporting students in their educational journeys.
