Chronic absenteeism and truancy rates improved slightly in D.C. schools, but is still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to new data on the 2022-2023 school year.

The data, published in a report released Thursday by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), shows that chronic absenteeism dropped slightly, to 43% in 2022-2023, from 48% in 2021-2022. Truancy dropped to 37% from 42%.

While the latest numbers show improvement, they are still higher than 2018-2019 – the last school year before the pandemic for which OSSE has data on the entire school year for in-person learning. Both chronic absenteeism and truancy were at 30% that year.

A student is considered chronically absent if they’ve had partial or full-day absences – either excused or unexcused – for at least 10 percent of school days in the year. A student is considered chronically truant if they have at least 10 full-day unexcused absences.

OSSE attributes the small improvement in chronic absenteeism numbers to a decrease in unexcused absences, noting however that excused absences remain similar to the previous school year.

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a surge in chronic absenteeism in school systems across the country. Data ranging from the 2015-2016 school year shows that in D.C., rates for chronic absenteeism and truancy peaked in 2021-2022, when pandemic schools transitioned back to in-person learning after lockdown.

Prior to the pandemic, there was already a slight upward trend in both rates. Truancy in particular seemed to be on the rise, rising by nearly 10% from 2015-2016 to 30% in 2018-2019. Chronic absenteeism had a more modest increase, from 26% to 30%.

The data also shows vast disparities along racial and ethnic lines for truancy in particular. For example, Black students were ten times more likely to be chronically truant than white students. Absenteeism and truancy rates were particularly high among high schoolers, who had a 60% chronic absenteeism rate and a 47% truancy rate. Absenteeism rates were lower for other grade levels, ranging from 34% to 38%. Truancy for other grade levels ranged from 28% to 34%. The report does not identify specific causes for chronic absenteeism. OSSE told DCist/WAMU that it does not track those causes and that “we don’t speculate on what is the main driver.”

To improve attendance, OSSE said it’s expanding training and support for early childhood programs and schools on how to promote mental health and wellness for students and staff. OSSE said it’s also “expanding supports to schools to help build positive student cultures and inclusive learning environments.” As part of that effort, it plans to gather and report out data on school climate through surveys of students, family, and staff, with the goal of finding ways to improve student culture.

“Reducing chronic absenteeism is a top priority for OSSE and for the District at large,” OSSE said in a statement, noting that it’s one of the office’s strategic initiatives in its 2023-25 strategic plan.

Under D.C. law, schools are required to notify OSSE within two business days when a minor student has their tenth unexcused absence. If the parent has not already received truancy prevention resources, OSSE is required to provide the student’s parent with those resources.

Schools must also refer students aged five to 13 to the Child and Family Services Agency no later than two business days after they have unexcused absences for 10 full school days. Students 14 to 17 years old must be referred to the Court Social Services Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and to the Office of the Attorney General Juvenile Section no later than two business days after 15 full days of unexcused absences.

D.C. has some of the highest absenteeism rates in the country when measured against most states. Its pre-pandemic chronic absenteeism rate in 2018-2019 was the second-highest in the country, according to a report by Education Reform Now.

Earlier this month, Jessica Giles, the executive director of Education Reform Now D.C., told DCist/WAMU that challenges vary from family to family but that in some communities, public safety is a “big concern.” Living in Ward 7, Giles said she’s observed an “unease” about getting children to and from school safely.

Giles said investing in more mental health resources and better transportation for students would help boost attendance as well. Schools can also build stronger relationships with parents to encourage students to come to the classroom.

Ultimately, Giles said boosting attendance must be a District-wide effort.

“This isn’t just something schools can address,” Giles said. “My biggest push is that there is a full government urgency around this issue.”

This story has been updated with a statement from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, information on truancy procedures, and absenteeism and truancy rates by grade level.