Chronic Absenteeism Improvement Indicator

Overview 

Ohio’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan identifies chronic absenteeism as an additional measure of school quality or student success as there is a significant body of research around the impact of chronic absenteeism on academic performance.  A student is considered chronically absent if they miss at least 10 percent of instructional time (excused or unexcused) for any reason.

The Chronic Absenteeism Improvement Indicator (ORC 3302.02(A(3))) compares the chronic absenteeism rates of schools and districts against annual goals and benchmarks set for year over year improvement. For the 2022-2023 school year, this indicator will contribute a possible 5 points to the Gap Closing Component. Please refer to the Gap Closing Component Technical Documentation for detailed business rules and calculations. 

Districts and schools meet the indicator if they meet the established threshold or show improvement from the previous year by: 
  • Meeting or exceeding the annual goal for chronic absenteeism, or; 
  • Meeting an improvement standard relative to the starting point of each school or district via absolute or relative improvement.

Whether excused or unexcused, missing too much school has detrimental effects on a student’s learning trajectory. This indicator is key to helping districts and schools identify trends to assist in directing supports geared toward students’ needs. 
 

Technical Documentation and Resources

Last Modified: 10/16/2023 12:03:51 PM