"Alarming Decline: US Schools Witness Widespread Absenteeism, Impacting Millions of Students"

Since schools reopened during the pandemic, record numbers of students in the US have been absent, with over a quarter missing at least 10% of the 2021-22 school year, making them chronically absent. An estimated 6.5 million additional students became chronically absent, with absences more prevalent among Latino, Black, and low-income students. Chronic absenteeism has devastating long-term consequences, including higher risks of learning difficulties and dropping out. Absences were influenced by various factors such as financial issues, housing instability, illness, transportation problems, school staffing shortages, anxiety, depression, bullying, and feeling unwelcome at school. The effects of online learning and disrupted school routines have also contributed to the increase in chronic absenteeism.