Oregon schools face chronic absenteeism crisis

KEIZER, Ore. (InvestigateTV) — Teachers at a high school in Oregon are knocking on doors as part of a districtwide effort to combat chronic absenteeism that is affecting one-third of the state’s students.

Chronic absenteeism occurs when a child misses at least 10% of school days. During the 2023-24 school year, about one in 10 districts nationwide reported chronic absenteeism rates of 30%.

In Oregon, education advocates say school attendance has reached a crisis level. A third of students are missing more than three and a half weeks of school every year and academic performance is suffering.

Teachers lead outreach efforts

Diana Huerta, a Spanish teacher at McNary High School, participates in the district’s Attendance Matters campaign.

“It’s an opportunity for teachers to go out in the community and meet the freshmen for the first time,” Huerta said.

Caleb Roberts with Salem-Keizer Public Schools said the district wants students in school because it’s the best place for them to grow and prepare for life after graduation.

Sarah Pope, executive director of Stand for Children, said being chronically absent means missing 17 or more days of Oregon’s 170-day school year.

Policy changes leave districts without support

Data show a strong correlation between chronic absence in early education years and failing to learn to read by third grade.

Oregon eliminated truancy officers in recent legislative sessions, leaving school districts to develop their own solutions.

“We ended truancy officers in the legislature a couple sessions ago. And I think the challenge in Oregon is we didn’t replace it with anything,” Pope said.

Roberts said teachers are already doing great work to combat chronic absenteeism and the district wants to support them.

Personal connections make a difference

Huerta uses her bilingual skills and cultural background to connect with families.

“I feel like representation matters. And getting out in our community being, you know, bilingual, Latina, talking to families in their home language is very important,” Huerta said.

When students don’t show up, Huerta takes direct action.

“I pick up the phone and I call whoever comes up as our first relative, and I go down the line just calling, give them a, hey, student hasn’t been coming to class,” she said. “And normally, nine out of 10 times, I do see the kid come back.”

Roberts said the district doesn’t yet know the impact of the campaign or the schools’ work.

Solutions focus on intervention over punishment

Communities in Schools said addressing absenteeism early leads to better student outcomes.

Community organizations can help by providing in-school services, programs and mentorships. Businesses can offer flexible work schedules for parents.

Schools can also help by shifting from punishment to intervention when addressing absenteeism.

See the full story by Ezra Kaplan.