Colorado Department of Education
An analysis by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) on reported absences in Colorado public schools in the 2022-2023 school year found nearly 270,000 students missed more than 10 percent of school.
That amounted to more than one out of every four students and was the second highest number of chronic absences recorded, topped only by the 2021-2022 school year that was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Every day a student is in school is an opportunity for them to learn, build relationships and access support,” said Susana Córdova, Colorado’s education commissioner. “We know districts are working hard to ensure students attend school regularly. But we need everyone, including educators, parents, students and community members, to make a renewed effort on this important matter. Last year, more than a quarter of our students missed 10 percent or more of school. The surest way to make improvements in our recovery from the disruptions of the pandemic is for kids to be in school.”
Overall, the rate of chronic absenteeism in Colorado in 2022-2023 was 31 percent, representing 269,582 students who missed more than 10 percent of school. A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10 percent or more of the days they are enrolled in the school year. This number includes both excused and unexcused absences.
Last year’s rate was an improvement over 2021-2022, when chronic absenteeism was at an all-time high. In 2021-2022, 36 percent of students missed 10 percent or more of school days — 5 percentage points higher than last year or 48,000 more students. Chronic absenteeism has been calculated since the 2016-2017 school year, and rates have ranged from 18 percent to 24 percent prior to the pandemic.
Additionally, the majority of Colorado’s school districts showed improved attendance over 2021-2022, with 124 of the state’s 185 school districts having better rates in 2022-2023 and 22 districts improving by more than 10 percentage points. Despite the year-to-year trend showing improvement, there continues to be areas of concern.
The number of excused absences were two times the number of unexcused absences. Typically, excused absences are due to health-related absences or school-related activities.
Kindergarten, 10th, 11th and 12th grade had the highest rates of chronic absenteeism — all grade levels were above 35 percent.
Some individual student groups had higher rates of chronic absenteeism than the statewide average of 31 percent:
• English learners: 40 percent.
• Students with Individualized Education Programs: 39 percent.
• Students who qualify for free/reduced-price lunch: 43 percent.
• Students experiencing homelessness: 60 percent.
• Migrant students: 43 percent.
State and district chronic absenteeism data and state, district and school-level truancy rates are posted on the state’s attendance statistics Web page.
Attendance awareness
Attendance is important. Missing 10 percent or more of school can translate into students having difficulty learning to read by third grade, achieving in middle school and graduating high school, according to numerous studies.
The CDE is highlighting the issue to raise awareness around the importance of regular school participation.
AttendanceWorks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of attendance, provides resources to help schools, districts and communities understand the importance maintaining regular attendance at school.
Sickness-related
absences
With the majority of absences in 2022-2023 being excused and many likely being health related, it is important for schools and districts to create specific guidance on when students should call in sick.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has updated guidance to help parents know when to keep their students home. “How sick is too sick?” is available in both English and Spanish.
CDE initiatives
The CDE’s Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement Unit compiles information on state-level policy and evidence-based practices, and collects data and calculates trends in state and districtwide attendance. The unit supports district attendance teams and provides competitive grant programs with strategies to improve attendance and engagement.
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