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Student Attendance Improves Across L.A. Unified (10-16-18)
Chronic absenteeism declines by 1.5 percent while excellent attendance improves by 2.2 percent
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 16, 2018) — Preliminary student attendance numbers for L.A. Unified school year 2018-19 were presented today to the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education and the community. Compared to September 2017, chronic absenteeism among all students declined by 1.5 percent and excellent attendance increased by 2.2 percent.
“Attendance matters, and I’m pleased to see we’re making progress,” said Superintendent Austin Beutner. “While it’s still early in the year, chronic absenteeism is down and overall attendance is up. The results compare favorably with the past three years, when absenteeism was increasing. We expect this progress to continue.”
Students are considered to be chronically absent when they miss 15 or more school days, while excellent attendance is defined as having missed seven or fewer days. In the three years leading up to the end of the 2017-2018 school year, chronic absenteeism had been gradually increasing to reach almost 15 percent. Excellent attendance had been decreasing among students across L.A. Unified.
The District is committed to making progress on student attendance as a part of the comprehensive 2018-19 Attendance Improvement Plan.