October is dedicated to National Dropout Prevention Month and in this blog, we will dive into attendance and the role this indicator plays in academic achievement, drop out rates, as well as, funding in Kentucky schools. 

Research shows that school absences take a toll on grades and performance on standardized tests. Beyond test scores, irregular attendance can be a predictor of high school drop-out, which has been linked to poor labor market prospects, diminished health, and increased involvement in the criminal justice system. Students who are chronically absent are at higher risk for these adverse outcomes.

Chronic absenteeism in the U.S. schools rose during the pandemic and hasn’t recovered. The alarm­ing spike in stu­dent absen­teeism record­ed dur­ing the pan­dem­ic coin­cides with declin­ing test scores over the same peri­od, as report­ed by the KIDS COUNT Data Cen­ter. 

School atten­dance is crit­i­cal for aca­d­e­m­ic success.

Kentucky Absenteeism + Truancy 

In a recent presentation to the Interim Joint Committee on Education on October 17, the Kentucky Department of Education shared information related to absenteeism and truancy. Data presented highlighted that both Eastern and Western Kentucky regions are experiencing a decrease of 2% or more in average daily school attendance. Additionally, consistent truancy and extended absences have surged by 15%.

Between the 2018-2019 and 2022-2023 school years in Eastern and Western Kentucky regions, the findings indicate that the average daily attendance (ADA) has dropped to approximately 92%, a decline of about 2-2.5%. Additionally, habitual truancy has risen to a range of 25-30%, marking an increase of around 15%. Chronic absenteeism also saw a surge, reaching about 30%, up by 15%.

So, what does all this mean and why are so many students missing so much school?

  1. School atten­dance is crit­i­cal for aca­d­e­m­ic success.
  2. Irregular attendance is a predictor for high school drop-out rates.
  3. Since the pandemic, there has been a rise in absenteeism.
  4. Kentucky schools receive funding based on ADA through the SEEK Formula. A decrease in ADA means a decrease in funding for schools. 

Attendance Works describes these reasons in four broad categories: Barriers, Negative School Experience, Lack of Engagement, and Misconceptions.

Impact of Aggregated Average Daily Attendance of Kentucky’s Public School Funding Model

In a recent Budget Review Subcommittee on Education meeting, Chay Ritter from the Kentucky Department of Education delved into the role and significance of Aggregated Average Daily Attendance (AADA) in determining the Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) Funding model. This model serves as the backbone for financing Kentucky’s public schools.

During the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, AADA was effectively “frozen” due to fluctuating attendance. Fast forward to the 2022-2023 academic year, schools began collecting actual attendance data again, which will shape the SEEK funding calculations for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. 

A notable observation was that there was a 4.6% dip in AADA when comparing the frozen data with the real attendance figures from 2022-2023.

A Silver Lining: While the pandemic undeniably caused attendance setbacks, it wasn’t all grim. Some districts or schools reported an uptick in their attendance figures, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges.

The impact of AADA on Kentucky’s school funding model underscores the intricate relationship between student attendance and educational resources.

Evidence-Based Solutions

There are organizations dedicated to improving student attendance. AttendanceWorks provides a framework for creating a systematic approach for chronic absenteeism:

For Advocates + Policymakers

As we continue to navigate attendance challenges post-pandemic, it is imperative that we look at the complex relationship between attendance + drop out rates + factors behind why students are missing school + how attendance impacts funding.

The combined effects of reduced attendance, compromised student outcomes, and strained school budgets have raised concerns about the long-term implications for the current generation of students.

Educational institutions are now tasked with:

  • Remediation Programs: Initiatives to bridge the learning gap and get students back on track.
  • Mental Health Support: Recognizing the mental toll of the pandemic and offering support to affected students.
  • Reimagining Funding Models: Moving away from strictly attendance-based funding to more flexible models that consider unprecedented events like pandemics.

While the pandemic has posed significant challenges for education, it has also presented an opportunity for systemic change and innovation, ensuring that future disruptions have a minimized impact on student outcomes and school operations.

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash