Oregon has one of the highest rates of student chronic absenteeism in the U.S., with 33% of public school students missing over 17 days annually. This is significantly higher than the national average of 21%. Although absenteeism declined slightly from 38% in 2022-2023 to 34% in the following year, Governor Tina Kotek emphasized that the rate is unacceptable and linked to academic outcomes. Factors contributing to absenteeism include housing insecurity and immigration-related fears. The state plans to improve data collection and monitoring, while initiatives like a cell phone ban in schools aim to enhance attendance. Some districts have reported modest improvements in absenteeism, but the state still aims to set standardized targets and interventions for long-term improvement.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Chronic Absenteeism Rate in Oregon | Oregon has a chronic absenteeism rate of 33%, one of the highest in the US. | From a national average of 21% to 33% in Oregon, indicating worsening attendance issues. | Potential reforms may lead to improved school attendance and academic performance by 2034. | Rising housing insecurity and recent federal immigration actions are contributing to absenteeism. | 4 |
| Real-Time Data Monitoring Gap | Oregon lacks real-time tracking for student attendance, hindering timely interventions. | From yearly data release to biannual monitoring, allowing for more immediate interventions. | By 2034, real-time monitoring could significantly reduce absenteeism and improve academic outcomes. | Demand for responsive data systems for education to address attendance issues. | 5 |
| Legislative Resistance to Accountability | A failed bill aimed to improve attendance data reporting standards in Oregon. | From inconsistent data reporting to potential standardized quarterly reporting for accountability. | Standardized data could enhance state intervention strategies and reduce absenteeism rates dramatically. | The need for educational accountability and transparency to improve student outcomes. | 3 |
| Impact of Cell Phone Ban in Schools | An executive order banning cell phones may help improve attendance amid mixed evidence. | From unrestricted cell phone use to a ban aiming to foster sociable environments in schools. | By 2034, school environments may be less distracting, leading to improved student engagement and attendance. | Research-driven approaches to improving student focus and attendance in schools. | 2 |
| Extracurricular Ties to Attendance | Certain schools tie attendance to participation in sports and extracurricular activities. | From unlinked attendance to encouraging attendance through incentives like athletics. | Incentive structures could create a culture of attendance responsibility among students by 2034. | Encouraging student participation in school via extracurricular engagement to boost attendance. | 3 |
| Optimism in Early Grades | Elementary absenteeism rates are showing improvement post-pandemic. | From rising absentee rates to a declining trend among younger grades in Oregon. | If trends continue, early education engagement may positively impact long-term academic success by 2034. | Focused interventions targeting early education before issues manifest in higher grades. | 4 |
| Community Involvement in Attendance Solutions | Individualized support for attendance issues seen in certain high schools like Grant High. | From generalized student approaches to personalized family and student interventions. | By 2034, community-driven strategies may significantly lower absenteeism and promote academic success. | Community engagement and support systems are critical for addressing student challenges. | 4 |
| Diverse Student Engagement Growth | Black and Latino students are showing more progress toward graduation in Oregon. | From overall low graduation rates to incremental improvement in specific demographics. | By 2034, targeted programs may ensure more students from these demographics graduate on time. | The push for equity in education ensures better outcomes for marginalized students. | 4 |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Chronic Absenteeism | Oregon’s chronic absenteeism rate at 33% post-pandemic can hinder educational outcomes and long-term success for students. |
| Impact of Immigration Policies | Increased federal immigration actions may contribute to absenteeism among families of color, affecting children’s school attendance. |
| Lack of Real-Time Data | Oregon’s inability to track attendance data in real-time prevents timely interventions to address high absenteeism rates. |
| Limitations of Data Reporting | The failure to enact a bill for more frequent reporting of absenteeism data indicates a governance issue in addressing educational challenges. |
| Uncertain Effectiveness of Cell Phone Bans | The efficacy of cell phone bans on attendance improvement lacks robust research, presenting potential concerns about implementation impact. |
| Long-Term Academic Impact | Chronic absenteeism correlates with lower graduation rates, impacting students’ future opportunities in education and employment. |
| Delayed Educational Interventions | The timeline for state interventions may not be quick enough to address the current attendance crisis effectively. |
| Potential Inequities in Education | Absenteeism trends may highlight disparities in educational access and success for marginalized communities. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Parental Involvement in Attendance Solutions | Schools increasing parent engagement through individual meetings and home visits to address attendance issues. |
| Data Standardization and Frequency Improvement | Initiatives to design a standardized attendance reporting system, aiming for real-time data to better address absenteeism. |
| Attendance Tied to Extracurricular Participation | Linking student attendance to participation in sports and extracurricular activities as a motivational strategy. |
| Community-Based Support for Attendance | Addressing chronic absenteeism by tackling underlying issues like housing insecurity and immigration concerns. |
| Technological Integration in Monitoring Attendance | Utilizing tools like student Canvas accounts to notify students of their attendance status and consequences. |
| Cell Phone Policy Impact on Social Environment | Banning cell phones in schools to foster sociability and potentially improve attendance rates. |
| Targeted Support for At-Risk Groups | Focusing efforts on improving attendance rates among historically underperforming student groups such as Black and Latino students. |
| Community Engagement in Education Decisions | Local stakeholders being involved in setting academic outcome targets, potentially leading to tailored interventions. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Real-time Attendance Monitoring | Systems that track student attendance in real time to facilitate timely interventions and data analysis. |
| Standardized Data Reporting Systems | Efforts to develop a consistent approach for collecting and reporting attendance data across school districts. |
| Cell Phone Bans in Schools | Policies that prohibit personal mobile devices in educational settings, aimed at improving student engagement and attendance. |
| Data-Driven Interventions in Education | Using collected data to implement targeted strategies for improving chronic absenteeism and academic performance. |
| Home Visit Strategies by Educators | Engagement efforts where educators visit students’ homes to address attendance barriers and foster communication with families. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Chronic Absenteeism in Oregon | Oregon has a significantly high rate of student chronic absenteeism, affecting educational outcomes. |
| Impact of Immigration Policy on Education | Increased federal immigration actions are leading families to keep children home, affecting attendance. |
| Data Tracking Limitations | Lack of real-time tracking for attendance data hampers understanding of absenteeism causes and impacts. |
| Cell Phone Policy in Schools | New policies banning cell phones may impact student attendance, with mixed evidence of effectiveness. |
| State Intervention on Education Metrics | Future potential state interventions for chronic absenteeism and academic outcomes may significantly affect local districts. |
| Barriers to Student Attendance | Individual barriers affecting attendance are being addressed through tailored programs in schools. |
| Extracurricular Participation Tied to Attendance | Linking attendance to participation in sports and activities shows varying success in improving attendance rates. |
| Progress in Underrepresented Student Groups | Improvement in on-track graduation rates among Black and Latino students indicates positive trends in addressing disparities. |