Oklahoma Eases School Penalties For Chronic Student Absences

Oklahoma Schools Have a Chronic Absenteeism Problem. Now, It Will No Longer Count Against Them
Some educators say they can’t control whether kids come to school, but districts say they’ll keep working to lower the rates.

“Taylor dropped a new album.”

“Resting up from my vacay.”

“Netflix binge last night.”

Those were among the “lame excuses” for missing school that Oklahoma’s Union Public Schools featured during the 2024-25 school year, part of a humorous campaign intended to reduce chronic absenteeism.

Behind the comical posters, however, leaders were troubled by the data. During the 2022-23 school year, 29 percent of students missed at least 10 percent of the school year. At Union High School, the rate soared to 43 percent.

“I think there have been huge changes in behavior since COVID,” said Chris Payne, chief communications officer for the Tulsa-area district. He echoed what policy experts and school leaders nationwide have been saying since rates skyrocketed after schools fully reopened. “I think people reprioritized and decided, ‘You know, I’ve got things I need to take care of.’ ”

In addition to the attendance campaign, staff met with parents and visited students’ homes to find out why they were missing school. But starting in 2027, Oklahoma schools will no longer be judged on whether those chronic absenteeism rates go up or down. The legislature voted last year to remove the indicator from the state’s education accountability system as a factor that contributes to a school’s overall grade and can determine whether a school is labeled in need of improvement.

Among legislators, teachers and administrators, there’s a sense of relief. Continue reading story by The 74