CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – As summer draws to a close and school bells ring, Northeast Ohio schools face a silent crisis: chronic absenteeism.
19 Investigator Gabby Hart investigates this growing problem that threatens the future of our children.
“Is this a crisis? Oh, absolutely, it’s a crisis…” says Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works.
Chronic absence occurs when students are absent for more than 10% of the school year, regardless of the reason.
The consequences are serious: these students are less likely to graduate and more likely to have difficulty reading.
High absenteeism rates also disrupt the entire classroom.
“Everyone is affected,” Chang explains. “It makes it harder for teachers to teach and set classroom norms. It makes it harder for kids to learn.”
The numbers in northeast Ohio are alarming.
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District reported a chronic absentee rate of just over 56% for the 2023 school year.
Although this has improved slightly compared to recent years, it is a significant increase from 32% in 2019.
Other districts face similar challenges.
In Akron the rate was 47.3%, in Elyria it was 34%, in Ashtabula it was 49.4%, and Lorain City Schools reached an astonishing 59% in 2023.
These rates have almost doubled since 2019.
Even communities like Strongsville are seeing increases, underscoring the widespread nature of this problem.
So what is causing this increase in chronic absenteeism?
Chang cites several factors: Students lack key concepts and fear returning to school, lack social interaction with peers, face bullying, and even face challenges such as unreliable transportation or lack of essentials at home.
Certain groups are disproportionately affected by this crisis, and disturbing racial and ethnic disparities exist.
“In some communities, the situation has actually worsened during the pandemic, and they are still recovering,” Chang notes.
The effects of chronic absenteeism are undeniable and there are legal measures in place to counteract them.
In Ohio, House Bill 410 requires schools to report a certain number of unexcused absences to child welfare services.
However, experts like Chang emphasize prevention and early intervention.
“Make a family and a child feel known, heard and supported… and that going to school is an opportunity for them to live, grow and thrive… find out where the barriers are and overcome them.”
The Department of Education reiterated its commitment to promoting student engagement and attendance, highlighting its partnership with the Cleveland Browns Foundation and Harvard’s Proving Ground to develop the “Stay in the Game!” attendance network.
Click here to find your child’s school district attendance report. Reporting Portal (ohio.gov)
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