(The Center Square) – As a new school year begins across the commonwealth, Virginia is being recognized for progress in reducing chronic absenteeism.
Attendance Works, a nonprofit that tracks school attendance policy and data, highlighted Virginia’s “All In VA” plan in a national case study. The initiative was launched in 2023 to expand tutoring, literacy programs, and attendance support, and also created a Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to help schools respond to pandemic learning loss.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive in the classroom, and that starts with being present in school,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Through the All In VA Initiative, we are tackling chronic absenteeism head-on and giving students the support they need to succeed. I am proud of the progress we’ve made together, but we will not stop until every student is consistently in school, learning, and building the foundation for a brighter future.”
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, or about 18 days in a standard 180-day calendar, according to the Virginia Department of Education.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says even a couple of missed days each month can set kids back. Younger students may fall behind on reading, and older students who miss too much class are more likely to struggle or drop out.
Virginia’s absenteeism rate in 2023-24 was 15.7%.
That figure is lower than the national average and below the rates of most neighboring states, including Georgia and West Virginia, FutureEd data shows.
Absenteeism is most common in kindergarten, ninth grade, and 12th grade.
Virginia is one of 21 states participating in Attendance Works’ “50 Percent Challenge,” a five-year goal to cut chronic absenteeism in half. The commonwealth is also one of the first states to link school accountability standards to attendance.
The state has invested more than $418 million in tutoring, the Virginia Literacy Act, new attendance specialists, and data systems to track student progress.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson said the state’s efforts have already led to more than 1.2 million fewer absent days and nearly 9 million hours of additional learning time. She credited parents, teachers and communities for helping students get back on track and said the progress shows Virginia’s “All In VA” plan is working.
The Chronic Absenteeism Task Force was set up in September 2023 under the “All In VA” plan and brings together school leaders, parents, and community groups from across Virginia to trade ideas and give schools tools to keep students in class.
