Fewer Michigan kids are missing at least 10% of the school year

Fewer Michigan kids are missing a substantial amount of school , according to new data on chronic absenteeism released Wednesday, but the numbers remain higher than before the COVID pandemic.

Last year, 27.9% of students in the state were chronically absent, defined as missing 10% of the school year, or 18 days' worth of classes, according to the Michigan Department of Education.