Vermont puts new statewide strategy in place to curb chronic school absences

The plan emphasizes community-based solutions, including better transportation options, access to mental health support, and incentives for after-school participation.

Vermont education officials are introducing a fresh effort aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism, a problem that surged during the COVID-19 era and remains above pre-pandemic levels.

The state’s Agency of Education says the new approach will unfold over the next three to five years and is built around school data, district communications, and guidance drawn from schools that are already improving attendance. The first major step came in June, when Gov. Phil Scott signed legislation creating a statewide framework to address the issue.

State leaders say the goal is not simply to count missed days, but to understand why students are missing class in the first place. The plan emphasizes community-based solutions, including better transportation options, access to mental health support, and incentives for after-school participation.

Chronic absenteeism reached 18% in the 2019-20 school year before climbing sharply to 42% in 2021-22. While the rate has fallen since then, it remained at 24% in 2023-24.

University of Vermont Pediatrician Heidi Schumacher said students miss school for a wide range of reasons, including mental health concerns, bullying, asthma and everyday family challenges such as transportation problems or parents needing to get to work.

Vermont Deputy Education Secretary Jill Briggs Campbell said repeated absences can carry a wide impact, cutting students off from meals, support services, extracurricular opportunities and regular classroom instruction. She said one in four Vermont students is chronically absent, meaning they miss at least 10% of the school year, or about a month of classes.

Briggs Campbell said the pattern is part of a larger national shift that worsened during the pandemic, when chronic absenteeism climbed above 40% in Vermont before gradually improving. She said the state is still far from where it wants to be.

The Agency of Education says the challenge hits some groups harder than others, especially students from economically disadvantaged households, those experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and students with individualized education plans.

Officials believe the state is now in a stronger position to help districts respond, and they expect the new measures to begin in October. The agency says it is hopeful the effort will improve attendance by targeting the underlying barriers keeping students out of school.