Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rapid increase in absences across the country. The pandemic made the world switch from regular class, to all online, digital learning. I think many students can agree that while we did online school, we would show up to zoom’s late, not complete homework, and cheat on tests. This dysfunctional method of education let students down a rough path. Not only were students now faced with a lack of education, but they were also taken from the social aspect that one gets at school. Many students continued school like this for two years then returned back to in-person learning, but some decided to stay with online classes.

Online learning created a lack of development shown in younger kids. Specifically, elementary students show a lack of learning development, social skills, responsibility, and motivation. This is most likely due to the period of isolation and lack of education that COVID brought. As a result of this, there has been a severe increase in the amount of absences across the US. More specifically, an increase in absenteeism of elementary school students.

Since COVID-19, chronic absenteeism across the country has increased by 40%. This is a huge increase that should be taken very seriously. Chronic absenteeism is defined by missing at least 10% of the school year. This is a serious issue that is continuing to worsen. With students missing so much school at such a young age, they will not be able to develop at the rate they are supposed to. There will be serious consequences that will start to become more apparent if we do not do something about this. Solutions must be implemented to prevent this from continuing to happen. What do you think we could do to prevent the continuation of chronic absenteeism?

Possible solutions could be reinforcement by parents and teachers of the importance of attending school. If a child is missing a significant amount of school, the school could reach out to the parents and provide assistance and support. Rather than disregarding these absences, it should be the schools job to reach out and assess the situation. If the issue of absenteeism isn’t resolved schools could have consequences. Parents should also take responsibility for their child’s absences and attendance at school. It is important to remind young children about the importance of school and remember that attending class is not something that should be disregarded. Attending school sets children up for a bright future.
After hearing about the severity of absenteeism, do you think that there is something the schools or parents could be doing to prevent this from continuing?