According to the latest data, nearly one in four students in South Carolina are considered chronically absent, missing at least 50% of the day during 10% of school days. This is almost double the rate before the pandemic and is impacting student learning, with those students falling behind their peers in math. The Education Oversight Committee in South Carolina has identified chronic absenteeism as a major challenge post-pandemic and is launching a public awareness campaign to address this issue. Focus groups found that safety and mental health were key reasons for students missing school, and parents may not fully understand what chronic absenteeism entails. The campaign will focus on educating parents about the importance of school attendance and providing tips on supporting children who may be struggling with mental health issues. The committee plans to pilot the campaign in a few school districts over the summer before expanding it statewide. Addressing chronic absenteeism is crucial to ensuring students have the support they need to succeed academically.
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