[peyton]

Chronic absence is up and truancy is down according to this report. Not really what I’d expect for phone use—both should trend flat or up.

I wonder if there’s a way to validate the hypothesis that post-shutdown, some of the cohort that would have missed a day here and there now see school as optional and miss more days.

Overall, the reported effect is sad and should be addressed. These are people’s lives.

[nradov]

Youth participation in travel club sports is up so they miss more school days due to tournaments. These tend to be the more affluent and motivated students who still achieve good grades and high standardized test scores. I receive warning letters from the school district every year over high absences but it doesn't mean anything and I just throw them in the trash.

[jbm]

Chronic absence numbers are misleading. We all know that they are just placeholder stats for other factors and we should focus on those.

My 3rd grade daughter was unlucky with various illnesses and missed about 12 days this year (so far). I got a letter from her principal attempting to guilt trip me for her "Chronic absence".

I wrote an angry response (in retrospect it was too angry since he had no choice about the letter) where I asked if he would prefer my sending sick children to school.

Her grades (for whatever value grades have in 3rd grade) are fine. I'll take the chance on her reading her "Diary of a wimpy kid" book when sick, or when a sane system would have given a snow day.

[selcuka]

> in retrospect it was too angry since he had no choice

Imho you did the right thing. Everyone has a choice.

I did the same (but instead of an email it was an angry speech, face to face), with the exact same question (if they would prefer my sending sick children to school). My child's grades were fine, too. Haven't received any letters after that.