PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - Oregon has one of the worst school attendance rates in the country, with more than a third of students missing enough class to be considered chronically absent.

In the 2022-23 school year, 34% of Oregon students were chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of school days. That rate is well above the national average of 23%, according to state data.

Experts warn the problem has serious consequences. Research shows students who miss significant class time in the early grades often struggle to learn to read by third grade.

“That’s sort of a make-or-break year,” said Sarah Pope, the executive director of Stand for Children Oregon. “You can still get caught up after third grade around literacy, but it gets harder and harder.”

Historically, truancy office

See Full Page