Here’s a startling fact: despite the rise of online learning, chronic absenteeism in schools is still wreaking havoc on students’ academic performance—and it’s worse than you might think. But here’s where it gets controversial: simply making assignments available online isn’t enough to reverse the damage, according to researchers who dove deep into North Carolina school data. Even in an era where students can theoretically catch up from home, the numbers tell a different story.
After the pandemic, absenteeism rates skyrocketed, leaving educators, policymakers, and parents scrambling for solutions. Emily Walkenhorst, a WRAL education reporter, highlights how this trend isn’t just a temporary blip—it’s part of a broader cultural shift in how we view daily school attendance. Remember when remote learning became the norm during COVID-19? That flexibility, while necessary at the time, seems to have left a lasting impact on student habits.
Ethan Hutt, a researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, co-authored a study that sheds light on this issue. He notes a staggering 65% increase in chronic absence rates post-pandemic. To put that in perspective, about one-quarter of North Carolina students missed at least 10% of school days during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Before the pandemic? That number was below 16%. And this is the part most people miss: even kindergarteners, who never experienced remote learning, are showing higher absenteeism rates. It’s not just a hangover from the pandemic—it’s something deeper.
The study, published by the American Enterprise Institute, compared data from Maryland and North Carolina before and after the pandemic. While the academic consequences of chronic absenteeism have softened slightly (about 10%), Hutt warns parents against complacency. “Just because the materials are online doesn’t mean your child can easily catch up,” he explains. The cumulative effect of missed days still drags down test scores, particularly in math, which was hit harder than reading—especially in North Carolina.
Here’s the kicker: this trend isn’t confined to urban or low-income schools. It’s everywhere—suburban, rural, you name it. But lower-income schools, where attendance rates are often lower, will feel the brunt more severely. So, what’s the solution? Hutt suggests a two-pronged approach: communicate the real-world consequences of poor attendance and remove barriers that keep students from showing up. Think transportation solutions for rural students or community partnerships in struggling areas.
Schools have tried everything from rewards and punishments to involving the courts for chronically absent students. But one year after federal pandemic stimulus funds dried up, it’s unclear how many of these initiatives are still in place. Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Is absenteeism a symptom of larger systemic issues, or is it a problem we can tackle with better policies and community involvement? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation we can’t afford to ignore.
