Before the pandemic, about 8 million U.S. students were considered chronically absent during the school year. Now, that number has doubled. Students who are chronically absent often have lower test scores, fall behind, or even drop out at higher rates than others. Which students are most affected by chronic absenteeism? What can parents and schools do to help them? And, with other problems like graduation rates and teacher shortages, can absenteeism be fixed? Erica Peterson is the national education manager for School Innovations & Achievement. She discusses the importance of attending school and how this issue can help us reimagine our current school systems. 

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