Absenteeism and Delayed Enrollment

Abstract

Abstract Although attenuated learning progress was predicted in the early days of school closures, two major unanticipated challenges developed that have persistently impeded efforts to remediate learning losses. Chronic absenteeism, which is negatively associated with cognitive and psychosocial development as well as vocational achievement, has dramatically increased, even though schools have reopened. Chronic absenteeism rates have doubled in some areas, compared to 2019, and marginalized groups have been disproportionately affected. Schools have also suffered critical declines in student enrollment, and they have experienced delayed school entry; nationwide, more than 200,000 students have simply been lost to the system. These factors are known to impact educational and vocational attainment and long-term economic, health, and cognitive outcomes.