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FLORIDA - Florida is facing an attendance crisis with chronic absenteeism rates remaining at record highs and student learning at risk.
According to a report from the Tampa Bay Times, nearly one in three Florida students missed at least 10 % of the school year in 2023‑24, equivalent to over three weeks of missed instruction.
This level is far above the approximately 20 % seen before the pandemic and remains largely unchanged since its peak of about 32 % in 2021‑22.
Nationwide, chronic absence surged from around 15 % pre‑COVID to nearly 28 % during the pandemic, and has stayed elevated.
In Central Florida alone, more than 145 000 students missed 18 or more days in a 180‑day school year.
While pre‑pandemic attendance patterns have not returned, some counties like Osceola and Seminole show minor improvements, even though their absence rates remain significantly higher than before COVID interventions.
Educational advocates emphasize that lasting change requires better data systems and state‑level coordination.
Experts highlight that chronic absenteeism significantly undermines learning.
Students missing 10 % or more of school struggle academically; middle and high school test scores have fallen, with Florida middle schoolers hitting historic lows.
Nationwide, absenteeism correlates closely with poorer reading and math outcomes .
Schools are deploying varied strategies, home visits, incentives, truancy court referrals and catch‑up programs, to boost attendance.
But attendance levels remain stubbornly high, and system‑wide solutions are needed
As Florida faces one of the nation’s highest chronic absenteeism rates, stakeholders stress that restoring student engagement and academic momentum will rely on coordinated efforts across state and local levels.