1 IN 4 KIDS ARE MISSING SCHOOL

Nearly one in four Colorado students is chronically absent from school, and the effects extend far beyond missed classroom time.In this episode, Erin Brantley examines Colorado's chronic absenteeism rates, explains how chronic absenteeism differs from truancy, and discusses why attendance remains a major challenge years after the COVID-19 pandemic.The conversation explores the academic consequences of chronic absenteeism, the factors driving higher absence rates, Colorado's statewide attendance improvement efforts, and practical ways families and schools can work together to keep students engaged in learning.If attendance is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success, what will it take for Colorado to return to pre-pandemic levels?