Syracuse schools have made progress in reducing chronic absenteeism, but significant challenges remain.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 18 days or 10% of the school year. According to a report from the State Comptroller’s office, Syracuse saw an 18% reduction in chronic absenteeism in 2023, but the rate remains at 57%. Local school officials have made reducing absenteeism a priority and are working to bring the numbers down further.
The report also noted that chronic absenteeism is an issue across New York, which ranks 27th among 39 states that report the problem.
