Jeff Riley, the Commissioner for K-12 Education in Massachusetts, emphasized that addressing chronic absenteeism is the key to improving educational outcomes for children, making it a top priority for the year ahead.

1. High Rates of Student
Absenteeism Challenge
Massachusetts Education
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Massachusetts, nearly four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, is still grappling with a
significant rise in student absences, prompting state education officials to label the situation as
“staggering.” Jeff Riley, the Commissioner for K-12 Education in Massachusetts, emphasized that
addressing chronic absenteeism is the key to improving educational outcomes for children, making it a top
priority for the year ahead.
Unprecedented Levels of Absenteeism
Speaking during a recent meeting of the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Riley
expressed concern over the unprecedented levels of absenteeism, not only in Massachusetts but across the
country. The state defines students who miss 10% or more of school days as “chronically absent,” which
equates to at least 18 days missed during a regular school year, whether excused or unexcused. Between
2019 and 2023, the state-wide rate of chronic absenteeism has surged by a substantial 72%, according to
state officials. In 2019, only 13% of students state-wide were categorized as chronically absent.

2. By June 2022, this figure had climbed to nearly 29%. While the most recent data from June indicates slight
improvement, it still remains elevated at over 22%. Notably, chronic absenteeism is especially prevalent in
the elementary grades and among students from low-income households, where approximately 33% of all
grades are affected. The pandemic caused significant spikes in absenteeism in large urban districts, such as
Lawrence, with some progress made in recovery but not yet back to pre-pandemic levels.
Efforts for Tracking of Absences
To address this concerning trend, Commissioner Riley announced that his office will allocate $4 million in
support to districts to enhance the tracking of absences and collaborate with students’ families to facilitate
their return to school. He also proposed giving greater weight to attendance data as an accountability
measure to identify districts that may require state intervention in the coming year. Research has
established a link between frequent school absences and negative consequences beyond just learning loss,
including higher dropout rates and disciplinary problems. Pediatrician Beverly Nazarian, speaking during
the meeting, highlighted the essential role of schools in providing schedules, social connections, and
socialization for students’ mental health, underscoring that a community-based solution is necessary.
Recovery Academies and Mindset Shift
While Commissioner Riley didn’t provide specific details about the solution, he mentioned “recovery
academies” as a potential example. These academies would offer additional instruction during school
vacations, inspired by a program he initiated a decade ago while serving as a middle school principal in
Boston. The proposed $4 million grant and the idea of incorporating attendance data into the state’s
accountability system sparked debate among board members. Board vice-chair Matt Hills expressed
concerns about the overemphasis on attendance within an accountability system primarily designed to
measure academic progress.
In response, Riley stressed that the absenteeism issue is severe enough to necessitate novel approaches to
rectify it, opening the door for further discussion at the board’s upcoming family summit in Marlborough.
In the meantime, Patrick Tutwiler, who assumed the role of the state’s education secretary in December,
plans to appear in a television commercial advocating for regular school attendance. Tutwiler, who had
served as the superintendent of Lynn Public Schools, achieved a three-percentage-point reduction in
chronic absenteeism between 2015 and 2020. He attributed this success to a “mindset shift” that
emphasized the importance of “every student, every day.”
Tutwiler emphasized that absenteeism often reflects unmet needs, such as food security, housing stability,
or issues with other students or the school itself. The state’s concerted efforts to address absenteeism
reflect a commitment to ensuring that every child has an equal opportunity to access quality education and
support.