By Sharon Lurye, Associated Press

(AP) — Absenteeism skyrocketed in schools across the country following the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2021-2022 school year, more than a quarter of students missed class so often that they were considered chronically absent.

A new analysis shows that the number of school absentees improved slightly in the 2022-2023 school year, but is still above pre-pandemic levels. According to the AP’s analysis, conducted in collaboration with Stanford economist Thomas Dee, the numbers of chronic school absentees are far higher in almost every state than they were in the 2018-2019 school year.

A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year, whether excused or unexcused – which usually equates to more than three weeks of lost learning time. The reasons can vary: mental health issues, staying home for minor illnesses, avoiding bullying, taking care of a job or family members, lack of interest in school, or simply not seeing the point in attending class regularly. Education experts see high absenteeism rates as a clear warning sign; they are considered a sign that students are falling behind in school.

The AP publishes absenteeism data from over 40 states for the 2022-2023 school year. The data includes 42 states plus DC

Across the 42 states and Washington, DC, 25% of students were chronically absent in 2022-2023—about 12 million children in total. That’s only a slight improvement from 28% in 2021-2022 and well above pre-pandemic levels, when the national rate was 15%.

The data shows that the shift away from regular school attendance is a long-term problem. Almost all states improved their chronic absenteeism rates between spring 2022 and spring 2023. At the same time, the situation in almost all states is still much worse than before the pandemic, as schools struggle to get students back to regular school attendance. In four states – Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Oregon – the absenteeism rate actually increased between 2022 and 2023.

Chronically absent students are at greater risk of becoming illiterate and eventually dropping out of school, and they also miss out on the meals, counseling and social interactions provided at school.

Many of the reasons why children stayed away from school at the beginning of the pandemic still exist: financial difficulties, transportation problems, minor illnesses and mental health problems.

A new report from USC social scientists based on interviews with about 2,500 parents/caregivers across the country finds a strong link between children’s mental health and school absence. Nearly one in four students who will be chronically absent during the first half of the 2023-2024 school year scored high on a questionnaire measuring emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, hyperactivity, and arguing with others. Age and gender were both important factors. Prepubescent boys showed high levels of hyperactivity or behavioral problems, while teenage girls struggled more with anxiety and depression.

Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from several private foundations. All content is the sole responsibility of AP. AP’s standards for working with charities, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas can be found at AP.org.