The Washington Legislature's Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education meeting on March 25, 2025, focused on addressing chronic absenteeism in schools, a pressing issue that has seen significant changes since the pandemic. According to data presented, 73 percent of students attended school 90 percent or more of the time last year, indicating that 27 percent of the student population was chronically absent. This trend mirrors national statistics, although there have been some incremental decreases in absenteeism over the past few years.

Certain grade levels, particularly eighth to ninth grade, twelfth grade, and kindergarten, were identified as having the highest rates of absenteeism. Additionally, specific student groups, including those experiencing homelessness, foster care, high mobility, low-income families, Pacific Islander students, and American Indian or Alaskan Native students, consistently showed higher absence rates.

In response to this challenge, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has committed to a national bipartisan initiative aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism by 50 percent over the next five years. Superintendent Chris Reykdal has signed on to this initiative, which includes collaboration with 17 partner states, including Rhode Island.

The meeting also highlighted the Reenvisioning Truancy Project, which is part of OSPI's broader efforts to improve student attendance. Various initiatives, such as providing school meals, transportation, and behavioral health support, have been implemented to enhance attendance rates. A significant project, the ESSER attendance and reengagement project, concluded in 2024 and involved collaboration with over 80 school districts and educational service districts across the state.

The discussions underscored the importance of addressing absenteeism to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically and socially. The commitment to reducing absenteeism reflects a proactive approach to improving educational outcomes for Washington's students.