Posted on: 09/30/2025

Missing Too Much High School: Helios Education Foundation Report Reveals Chronic Absence Trends and Recommended Solutions

New research shows chronic absence rates climb with each grade, peaking among high school seniors and students facing economic hardship

PHOENIX, AZ - Helios Education Foundation, in partnership with WestEd, has released a comprehensive analysis of chronic absence trends among Arizona high school students, revealing persistent attendance challenges and recommended solutions for statewide action. The first-of-its-kind report, Missing Too Much High School: An Analysis of Arizona Chronic Absence Trends in Grades 9-12, shows that monitoring and addressing high school chronic absence is crucial for improving academic outcomes and providing equitable opportunities for long-term success.

“These findings underscore the urgent need for Arizona’s educators, policymakers, and communities to work together to address chronic absence and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed,” said Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “Chronic absences rob students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, of the essential classroom time they need to succeed and be prepared for postsecondary success, increasing the risk of disengagement from both education and society.

This brief builds upon an earlier report, Still Missing Too Much School, which focused on chronic absence in grades 1–8. This latest report finds chronic absence rates among Arizona high school students are much higher than those in earlier grades, with one of every three high school students being chronically absent.

Key Findings:

  • Chronic Absence Rates Remain High: Chronic absence among Arizona high school students peaked at 42% in the 2021-22 school year compared to 34% of students in grades 1-8. Despite some improvement, chronic absence remains at 34% in 2023-24 for high school students, which is still 10 percentage points above pre-pandemic levels.
  • Disparities by Student Group:
    • Economically disadvantaged students (43%) are chronically absent at rates 18 points higher than their peers.
    • American Indian or Alaska Native students have the highest rate (53%), followed by Hispanic or Latino students (39%).
    • English Language Learners (47%) and students with disabilities (40%) also face elevated chronic absence rates.
  • Grade-Level Trends: Chronic absence increases with grade level, with high school seniors consistently showing the highest rates each year.
  • School Context Matters:
    • Schools with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students report chronic absence rates of 40%, compared to 25% in lower-poverty schools.
    • Alternative schools and Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) programs have higher rates than traditional and charter schools.
  • Academic Impact: Students with lower proficiency in English language arts and mathematics are much more likely to be chronically absent. Nearly half of grade 11 students scoring “Minimally Proficient” in either subject were chronically absent in 2023-24.

“Our newest research expands on our previous work analyzing chronic absence rates among earlier grades and uncovers the unique challenges and nuances faced by high school students,” said Dr. Paul Perrault, senior vice president of community impact and learning for Helios Education Foundation. “Our data makes clear that reducing chronic absence will require early intervention, stronger family engagement, and real partnerships across our communities to support students before they fall behind.”

Recommendations:

  • The report calls for coordinated, sustained action, including:
  • Early intervention in high school, especially for freshmen.
  • Integrating attendance data into academic support systems.
  • Building statewide policy and accountability mechanisms.
  • Fostering community partnerships to address barriers.
  • Strengthening school-level capacity, especially in high-poverty schools.
  • Promoting a culture of attendance and engagement, shifting the narrative from compliance to connection.

For more information and to access the full report, visit www.helios.org.

 

About WestEd

WestEd, a nonpartisan research, development, and service agency, works to promote excellence, improve learning, and increase opportunity for children, youth, and adults. Our staff partners with policymakers, district leaders, school leaders, communities, and others, providing a broad range of tailored services, including research and evaluation, professional learning, technical assistance, and policy guidance. We generate knowledge and apply evidence and expertise to improve policies, systems, and practices. More information about WestEd is available at WestEd.org.