Plain English with Derek Thompson

Why School Absences Have "Exploded" Across America

8 snips
Apr 5, 2024
In this insightful discussion, Nat Malkus, a former teacher and deputy director of education policy at the American Enterprise Institute, delves into the surging rates of school absenteeism, particularly highlighting alarming statistics from D.C. where 60% of high school students are chronically absent. Malkus explores how the pandemic has exacerbated this trend, leading to a cultural shift in attitudes towards education. He offers potential solutions for teachers and lawmakers, emphasizing the urgent need for a cultural change in attendance expectations.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Pre-Pandemic Absenteeism

  • Chronic absenteeism, missing 10% of school days, was a recognized problem pre-pandemic.
  • It negatively impacted academic outcomes and high school graduation rates.
INSIGHT

Absenteeism Demographics

  • Pre-pandemic absenteeism disproportionately affected lower-income, non-white students, and those in single-parent households.
  • These disparities correlated with lower academic achievement.
INSIGHT

Remote Learning Ineffectiveness

  • Remote learning was generally ineffective for students.
  • School closures correlated with learning loss, with liberal districts experiencing more closures and loss.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app