By Rob Bisceglie

Chronic absence is no longer a silent issue or a post-pandemic blip. From national headlines to state reports and to the experiences of on-the-ground educators, it’s clear: too many kids are missing school too often. 

Action for Healthy Kids consistently elevates the connection between student health and school engagement. We collaborate with districts to implement whole-child strategies and share research that drives meaningful change. We’ve championed the message that health isn’t an “extra.” It’s essential. 

More leaders now recognize that attendance depends on systems that support student well-being, including nutrition, mental health, safety, and health education. Attendance isn’t just about effort or motivation; it’s about meeting kids’ needs. 

The Landscape: Struggles and Bright Spots 

The national picture remains troubling: in the 2023–24 school year, about one in four children, over 10 million, were chronically absent. And it’s not due to apathy. Illness, anxiety, trauma, caregiving responsibilities, and unmet needs of various sorts keep students away. 

The bad news: Several states are still seeing crisis-level absence rates. Alaska led with 43.4%, followed by D.C. (39.2%), Oregon (34.3%), and Florida (31.4%). Other states exceeding 25% include New Mexico, Michigan, Kentucky, Colorado, Illinois, and Nevada. 

But there’s also good news. Indiana lowered absenteeism for three years, now down to 16.7% from over 21% in 2022. California aims to cut rates in half by 2030. Connecticut is expanding school–family engagement teams. Louisiana is working with communities to solve real-life barriers, from transportation to after-school support. 

Together, these examples show: absenteeism is more than a data point. It reflects how well we meet students’ needs and where we can do better. 

What Keeps Kids Away 

When students avoid or resist school, it’s often a response to deeper struggles. Acting out, withdrawing or staying home can be their way of expressing what they don’t know how to say, “I’m not okay.” 

This is why absenteeism is sometimes still seen as a motivation problem. However, for many students, it’s not a matter of choice; they face barriers that make attendance more challenging. 

Action for Healthy Kids’ five-pillar whole-child health approach is built to address these types of barriers ensuring that students are healthy, supported, and able to thrive. 

Nutrition 

Poor nutrition and hunger impact more than just health. They impair energy, focus, mood, and judgment. When students lack nourishment, it affects them both physically and emotionally.  

Physical activity 

Movement boosts blood flow to the brain, releasing endorphins, and reducing stress hormones. Without it, kids may struggle with concentration and emotional control, which can cause disruptive behavior or missed learning time. 

Mental health 

Anxiety, depression, and trauma are drivers of chronic absence, disrupting focus, emotion regulation, and a student’s sense of safety. Research validates what educators observe daily: mental health support is essential for keeping students present, engaged, and safe. 

Risk behavior prevention 

Many students labeled “at-risk” exhibit behavioral issues. Exclusionary discipline often fuels disengagement and chronic absence. Non-punitive approaches and consistent behavioral support can interrupt that cycle and keep students connected to school. 

Skills-based health education 

Health education builds the foundation for long-term success by teaching students life skills like self-awareness, decision-making, and emotional regulation, all of which improve their ability to navigate challenges and stay connected to school.   

Addressing the Root Causes, Not Just the Symptoms 

These are not peripheral issues; they are at the heart of why students show up, and why they stay. Addressing what keeps kids away is not just about improving attendance; it’s about understanding the underlying issues and strengthening the systems that support their overall well-being, helping them thrive. 

Keep on the Path Forward: Partnering to Reduce Health-Related Absences 

This year, Action for Healthy Kids is expanding its commitment to health-centered attendance strategies through a new partnership with Kaiser Permanente. 

In alignment with Kaiser Permanente’s national strategy to reduce health-related chronic absence, we’re working with school districts across the country to strengthen the message we’ve championed for years: an investment in student health is an investment in attendance, and ultimately, student success. 

Through this partnership, we will: 

• Engage district leaders in supporting whole child health
• Share tools and frameworks that connect health and attendance
• Co-create messaging that helps schools clearly articulate this connection
• Elevate what works through thought leadership and learning networks like our National School District Wellness Coalition

Our shared goal is to help schools and communities reframe absenteeism not just as an isolated problem to handle but as a sign of unmet needs that health and wellness strategies can fulfill. 

Let’s Keep Students Where They Belong 

Chronic absence is urgent, but solvable. Schools cannot tackle it alone, and kids shouldn’t be expected to overcome it on their own. 

By strengthening the systems around students: nutrition, movement, mental health, skill-building, and connection, we can build schools where every child is supported to show up, stay engaged, and thrive. 

Let’s keep the conversation going. And more importantly, let’s keep kids where they belong: in school, in the community, and in good health. 

Three-Part Series on Chronic Absence Solutions & Whole-Child Health 

This post kicks off a three-part series on how schools can address chronic absence by identifying the factors that keep students away and spotlighting the solutions and successes happening across districts and states. 

Now live: Part 2 – A Smarter Way Forward: How Second Chance Replaces Suspension with Support

Explore how schools can rethink suspensions for tobacco-related infractions by replacing punishment with support through the Second Chance program.