Indiana K-12 chronic absenteeism rate declines for fourth year

Hoosier students are slowly returning to their pre-pandemic attendance patterns: Indiana’s K-12 chronic absenteeism rate declined for the fourth consecutive year to just shy of 15% in 2026, the State Board of Education learned Wednesday.Students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year, the equivalent of 18 school days or three weeks of classes.Excused and unexcused absences are both counted toward this rate.Chronic absenteeism peaked in Indiana K-12 schools at 21% in 2022 — twice the pre-pandemic rate.