Chronic absenteeism has increased in schools in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. A local organization is working with cities and communities to improve messaging around the issue.
About 28% of Arizona students were chronically absent in the 2022-2023 school year — meaning they missed at least 10% of their classes. In the school year before the pandemic began, it was at about 13%.
Students who were economically disadvantaged had higher rates.
"Attendance is an equity issue. We know our children have the least amount of resources are the ones that are now being more likely to be chronically absent," said Dawn Gerundo with Valley of the Sun United Way.
The organization worked with the city of Phoenix, ASU and other groups to develop a toolkit to improve communications and get students back in schools.
“Being aware is not the only solution, but it's enough to help us move to the next level and really put our resources in place for those that need them," Gerundo said.
The toolkit includes fact sheets, statistics and suggested methods to communicate with parents.
