Addressing chronic absenteeism among Hispanic students in Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is grappling with a persistent issue: high rates of chronic absenteeism among Hispanic students, which significantly impact their academic performance and long-term prospects. Despite an increase in Hispanic student enrollment, statistics reveal alarming trends, with approximately 40% of Hispanic students missing 18 or more school days in the 2022-2023 academic year.
The surge in chronic absenteeism, exacerbated by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, poses significant challenges for Hispanic students’ educational attainment. Research underscores the detrimental effects of frequent school absences, including increased dropout rates and diminished academic achievement.
Alarmingly, proficiency rates in reading and math among Hispanic students lag behind their peers, with only 22% proficient in reading and a mere 13% proficient in math. This proficiency gap further compounds the challenges faced by Hispanic students, exacerbating disparities in educational outcomes.