Oklahoma’s public schools are facing a serious challenge that has nothing to do with teaching quality or student performance—chronic absenteeism. Under the Oklahoma State Report Card system, schools are graded based on a range of factors, including attendance. While the intent behind measuring chronic absenteeism is understandable, its impact on schools is problematic, particularly when the causes of absenteeism are often beyond educators’ control.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including illness, family emergencies, transportation issues and suspensions. In Oklahoma, a student can be marked as chronically absent whether their absences are excused or unexcused. Even if a student has a medical note from a health professional advising them to miss school, their absence still counts against the school. This means that even when families follow medical guidance, schools are penalized under the state’s grading system. Nearly 20% of students across the state are considered chronically absent, and Oklahoma currently scores a D in this category. This data affects public perception and school morale, and it unfairly punishes schools for factors they cannot control.
One major issue is the economic reality many Oklahoma families face. Nearly 20% of children in the state live in poverty, meaning many students struggle with unstable housing, food insecurity and lack of transportation. Should the school be punished if a student cannot get to school due to a lack of a reliable ride? The state’s grading system does not account for these challenges, making it harder for schools in lower-income areas to achieve high ratings.
Illness and mental health are also significant concerns. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools encourage students to stay home when sick to prevent outbreaks. Additionally, anxiety and depression among young people contribute to missed school days. Instead of supporting schools in addressing these issues, the state’s grading system penalizes them for prioritizing student well-being.
Disciplinary policies further complicate the issue. Schools are required to suspend students for certain behaviors, even when alternative interventions might be more effective. This creates a paradox: schools must follow state discipline guidelines yet are penalized when suspensions contribute to absenteeism rates.
Schools are actively working to combat absenteeism through outreach programs, attendance incentives and family support initiatives. However, without addressing the root causes—poverty, health challenges and transportation barriers—attendance rates will not drastically improve. Rather than punishing schools, the state should focus on solutions like increased funding for school-based mental health services, improved public transportation for students and greater flexibility in how schools handle absences.
Instead of focusing so heavily on chronic absenteeism, why not change the report card system to include factors that schools can control? Metrics such as discipline referrals, dropout rates and access to extracurricular programs could provide a more comprehensive and fair assessment of school performance. These elements directly impact student success and allow schools to take meaningful action for improvement.
The Oklahoma State Report Card should be a tool for improvement, not a weapon that unfairly labels struggling schools. If we truly care about student success, we must rethink how we measure attendance and provide the necessary support to ensure all students can be present and engaged in their education. Holding schools accountable for chronic absenteeism without addressing root causes is not just unfair—it’s counterproductive.
Steven Stefanick, M. Ed., Harding Charter Preparatory School District Superintendent
To learn more about how local schools are addressing chronic absenteeism, read the second installment of our What’s Right with Our Schools series. In this article, two public school districts in the Oklahoma City metro area highlight common challenges and innovative solutions to help get kids back into the classroom.
