More Than One-Third of Preschoolers “Chronically Absent”, Chicago Study Finds |

More Than One-Third of Preschoolers “Chronically Absent”, Chicago Study Finds |:

More Than One-Third of Preschoolers “Chronically Absent”, Chicago Study Finds

October 2, 2013 by Alyssa Haywoode

Photo: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for Children

Recent research points to troubling absenteeism in the early grades; and a new report from Chicago looks at the specific problem of preschool absenteeism.

As the report – “Preschool Attendance in Chicago Public Schools: Relationships with Learning Outcomes and Reasons for Absences” – says, “Significant attention is currently focused on ensuring that children are enrolled in preschool. However, regular attendance is also critically important. Children with better preschool attendance have higher kindergarten readiness scores; this is especially true for students entering with low skills.” (Of course, preschool is still voluntary – state laws do not require children to attend.)

Unfortunately though, many children who are enrolled in programs are “chronically absent.” Children with numerous absences often miss preschool for a variety of reasons, including health-related issues and “a range of logistical