While the unprecedented surge in chronic absenteeism across California at the height of the pandemic has subsided, rates remain nearly twice their pre-pandemic levels, with nearly 1 in 5 students missing 10% or more of the 2024-25 school year (California Department of Education, 2026). Further reducing chronic absence remains an urgent priority across the state—not only does it erode critical learning opportunities for students, but the financial bottom line for districts. In response to this urgency, California recently joined 15 other states in pledging to reduce chronic absence by 50% over the next four years (Attendance Works, 2026) with a goal of 12.5% by 2030 (California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, 2025). This ambitious goal requires sustained and coordinated efforts alongside resources and solutions to tackle absenteeism and its underlying causes, many of which are rooted in complex and multifaceted challenges facing students and families.
The State of Chronic Absenteeism in California: Projections, Reasons, and Solutions
This report documents California’s chronic absenteeism trends during and after the pandemic. It considers what it will take to accelerate recovery and support students whose attendance remains disrupted.
