"High Absenteeism Plagues Portland Public Schools During Make-Up Days"

Approximately 20% of students in Portland Public Schools, or about 9,000 students, were absent on the first day of a make-up week that was originally scheduled as winter break but repurposed to make up for lost school days due to a teacher strike. The district expects both student and educator absences to increase throughout the week, potentially straining the school system. While some schools faced challenges finding enough substitute teachers, no buildings were closed and significant disruptions were avoided. The make-up week is particularly important for high school students who need to accumulate credits and prepare for pre-college tests.