Why this matters
Chronic absenteeism — missing 10%+ of school days — is the single strongest predictor of dropout risk and low achievement. Unlike suspensions (which affect a few students deeply), chronic absence is a diffuse problem affecting 1 in 4 US students post-pandemic. A steady multi-year decline signals strong family engagement; a flat line near the US average is the new normal but still a concern.
What we're seeing
At POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER, chronic absenteeism has fallen 80% over the 5-year window — from 58.3% in 2015 to 11.8% in 2020. The gap vs US average of ~28% has narrowed — from 30.3% below in 2015 to 16.2% below in 2020.