Oregon’s Chronic Student Absenteeism Remains Among Nation’s Highest, Despite Recent Declines
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Oregon continues to grapple with alarmingly high rates of chronic absenteeism in its public schools, with a new report revealing that 33% of students missed more than 17 days of instruction during the 2024-2025 school year. This figure, while a slight improvement from previous years, remains significantly higher than the national average and underscores a persistent challenge for the state’s education system.
A Post-Pandemic Struggle
The latest data from the Oregon Department of Education shows that chronic absenteeism – defined as missing 10% or more of school days – peaked at 38% in the 2022-2023 school year. It subsequently fell to 34% the following year, with this year’s data indicating a further, albeit modest, decline of 0.8 percentage points. Despite this progress, Oregon’s rate far exceeds the 21% average observed among the 27 other states that have reported attendance figures for the current academic year. Prior to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,the national average stood at 15%.
“there’s no denying that Oregon’s attendance rate is unacceptable, and we have not rebounded from the pandemic quickly enough,” Gov.Tina Kotek stated in response to inquiries from The Oregonian/OregonLive.”Attendance is critical to improved s
A important obstacle to addressing the issue effectively is the limited availability of timely data. Currently, Oregon releases attendance data only once a year, well after the completion of the school year. This delay hinders the ability to implement targeted interventions in real-time.
A bill that would have mandated quarterly reporting of student absenteeism rates by district, and standardized data collection procedures, failed to pass the Oregon legislature earlier this year. While some officials expressed concerns that more frequent reporting could compromise data accuracy, advocates argue that timely information is crucial for effective problem-solving.
Dan Farley, an assistant superintendent with the Oregon Department of Education, explained that the state is working on a standardized data collection system slated to launch in the summer of 2028. This system aims to streamline reporting and enable more frequent data releases.
Emerging Strategies and Future Outlook
Governor Kotek has also highlighted the recent executive order banning cell phones in schools as a potential factor in improving attendance, citing the hope that it will foster a more engaging social surroundings. While research on the impact of cell phone bans on attendance is still emerging, a recent study from the University of Rochester suggests that such policies can be effective when properly enforced.
furthermore, state lawmakers have directed the State Board of Education to establish statewide growth targets for chronic absenteeism, particularly among younger elementary school students. Districts that fail to meet these targets may face state intervention beginning in the 2028-2029 school year.
Early indicators suggest some positive trends. Among metro-area districts, Forest Grove, David Douglas, and Centennial have seen improvements in attendance rates ranging from 2 to 3 percentage points. Portland Public Schools, despite facing challenges from a teacher strike and severe weather, experienced a 5 percentage point improvement.
Localized Interventions Show Promise
innovative approaches are being implemented at the school level. Metro-area high schools are increasingly tying attendance to participation in extracurricular activities and school events. At Grant High School in Northeast Portland, a comprehensive strategy involving individual meetings with students and families, home visits by the principal, and attendance-based incentives has yielded a 5 percentage point increase in regular attendance among freshmen and sophomores. Grant High requires a 90% attendance rate for participation in athletics, theater, debate, and school dances, offering opportunities for students to regain eligibility through tutoring, flex periods, and detention.
Encouragingly, data reveals that nearly 87% of Oregon ninth graders completed at least six credits by the end of their freshman year, a 2 percentage point increase over the previous year, putting them on track for on-time graduation. Black and Latino students demonstrated even greater progress,with a 3 percentage point increase in their on-track graduation rates.
Despite these positive developments, Oregon’s struggle with chronic absenteeism remains a significant concern, demanding sustained attention and innovative solutions to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.
