New Jersey lawmakers target chronic absenteeism in schools

New Jersey legislators will consider legislation Monday that would establish a statewide task force focused on reducing chronic absenteeism in schools. 

The bill comes as schools across the nation grapple with the lingering effects of the pandemic, which disrupted learning and worsened absenteeism.

Fifteen percent of students statewide were chronically absent from Garden State schools during the 2023-24 academic year, state data shows. While that’s down from 18% in 2021-22, the state’s chronic absenteeism rate before the pandemic was 10.6% in 2018-19, according to the bill.

Absenteeism is considered chronic when students miss 10% or more of school days in the 180-day academic year. Chronically absent students tend to have more reading difficulties, lower academic achievement, and higher dropout rates.

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer) is the bill’s prime sponsor and chairs the Assembly education committee, the panel set to mull the measure.

“As a state, we need to have a broad conversation about the reasons behind chronic absenteeism and what can be done to make sure students get the education they need to succeed,” Reynolds-Jackson told the New Jersey Monitor in a statement. “This bill is an important step in bringing the necessary stakeholders to the table to address this critical issue.”

Several marginalized groups have higher rates of chronic absenteeism in New Jersey, including students who are Black or Hispanic, nonbinary, struggling with homelessness, in foster care, or low-income, according to state data. Homeless students were the most disproportionately impacted, with 41% chronically absent in 2023-24, the data shows.

The task force would study root causes of chronic absenteeism, examine the role of mental health and school climate, research best practices elsewhere, and recommend ways to promote family engagement, according to the bill. A report would be due to the governor and legislature six months after the task force convenes.

The Senate unanimously passed the bill earlier this month.