Student-Level Attendance Patterns across Three Post-Pandemic Years
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| Title: | Student-Level Attendance Patterns across Three Post-Pandemic Years |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Tom Swiderski (ORCID |
| Source: | Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. 2026 48(1):400-407. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 8 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: | R305S220003 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Education |
| Descriptors: | Attendance Patterns, Attendance, African American Students, Hispanic American Students, White Students, Low Income Students, Elementary School Students, Racial Differences, COVID-19, Pandemics |
| Geographic Terms: | North Carolina |
| DOI: | 10.3102/01623737251315715 |
| ISSN: | 0162-3737 1935-1062 |
| Abstract: | We examine student attendance patterns in North Carolina across three post-pandemic years (2021-22 to 2023-24) compared to three pre-pandemic years (2016-17 to 2018-19). We find that the percentage of students who were chronically absent at least once over the 3-year period increased from 17% pre-pandemic to 38% post-pandemic, while the percentage who were chronically absent in all 3 years quadrupled from 2.4% to 9.6%. Persistent chronic absence rates are higher for Black and Hispanic than for White students and for students in high-poverty schools. Results show that while chronic absenteeism has been widespread post-pandemic, some students are experiencing especially deep and persistent levels of absenteeism. These students may face deeper underlying challenges to attendance and require more intensive intervention to recover. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1496354 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | We examine student attendance patterns in North Carolina across three post-pandemic years (2021-22 to 2023-24) compared to three pre-pandemic years (2016-17 to 2018-19). We find that the percentage of students who were chronically absent at least once over the 3-year period increased from 17% pre-pandemic to 38% post-pandemic, while the percentage who were chronically absent in all 3 years quadrupled from 2.4% to 9.6%. Persistent chronic absence rates are higher for Black and Hispanic than for White students and for students in high-poverty schools. Results show that while chronic absenteeism has been widespread post-pandemic, some students are experiencing especially deep and persistent levels of absenteeism. These students may face deeper underlying challenges to attendance and require more intensive intervention to recover. |
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| ISSN: | 0162-3737 1935-1062 |
| DOI: | 10.3102/01623737251315715 |
