New Mexico reports worsening chronic absenteeism despite multi-million-dollar investments

New Mexico has one of the highest rates of chronic absenteeism in the country. 

According to a new report to the state’s Legislative Finance Committee (LFC), chronic absenteeism more than doubled (+119%) between 2019 and 2023, representing more than 124,000 students who are missing 10% or more of scheduled school days.  

Data from the state’s Public Education Department (PED) revealed the average number of unexcused absences nearly doubled between 2019 to 2023.  

All in all, nearly 40% of the student population was chronically absent. 

In the demographic breakdown, Native American, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and African American students were the most likely to be chronically absent, as well as those facing housing insecurity, special needs students, and English language learners. 

Unsurprisingly, chronic absenteeism is correlated with lower academic proficiency and graduation rates.  

In New Mexico, absent students were only half as likely to be proficient in math (15% vs. 30%). The gap in reading was similar (28% vs. 43%).  

The increase in absenteeism occurred despite PED spending an additional $9.3 million on attendance recovery programs, while districts spent nearly $20 million on additional staff.  

Only one-third of eligible students reportedly enrolled in recovery programs. 

The report concluded with a handful of recommendations, such as requiring chronically absent students to attend additional instructional hours or allowing districts with high Native American populations to tailor their school calendars around cultural events and holidays. 

Chronic absenteeism continues to be a national crisis – often attributed to the pandemic – as average absence rates have nearly doubled across the board.