Ohio schools plagued with chronic absenteeism with 1 in 4 students missing too much class

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Just over one in four Ohio students were chronically absent during the last school year. That’s about twice what the state is aiming for, and only down 0.5% from the previous year.

A student is chronically absent when they miss at least 10% of class time a year, at least two days a month. Excused and unexcused absences, as well as suspensions, all count toward the chronic absence total.

At least one education expert suggests it’s time for the state to get tougher on the issue.

Ohio’s rate for chronically absent students was 25.1% for the 2024-2025 school year, according to the recently released Ohio school and district report cards. The figure was 25.6% the prior year.

The state’s target rate is 12.8% -- a tall order, considering pre-pandemic absenteeism levels were mo