Chronic Absenteeism Totals Citywide and by District

CHRONIC AND SEVERE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM: NEW YORK CITY CITWIDE TOTALS: SCHOOL YEAR 2012-13

In focusing on chronic absenteeism, it’s important to remember that most students in New York City do go to school regularly. About half of New York City’s students are solid attenders. Another quarter are not considered high-risk. And for many students who miss too much school in their elementary years, experience and research has shown that relatively simple interventions can make a big difference. Studies in other districts, and here in New York, have shown that some 50 percent of chronically absent elementary students can be easily reached with attention from a caring adult or mentor. Attendance can improve rapidly when school staffers take the time to let students and their families know that the children are genuinely missed.

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CHRONIC AND SEVERE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM: NEW YORK CITY BY DISTRICT AND GRADE SCHOOL YEAR 2012-13

While absenteeism can vary greatly among schools in the same neighborhood, there is no doubt that the lowest-income school districts face far greater challenges overall. The chart below highlights the districts and neighborhoods where chronic absenteeism is highest. Eight of the city’s 32 school districts have average elementary chronic absenteeism rates above 30 percent and high school chronic absenteeism rates approaching or exceeding 50 percent. Other districts, like 27 and 32, have less of a problem with elementary and middle school absenteeism but worrying high school attendance rates. Efforts to improve absenteeism and poverty supports should be aimed at these highest needs districts.

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