On Feb. 2, 2023, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released the most recent school and district chronic absence data, which shows that 28% of Mississippi students were absent 18 days or more during the 2021-22 school year.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% (18 days) of the school year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences and suspensions. Chronic absence differs from Average Daily Attendance (ADA), which is the average number of enrolled students who attend school each day. ADA often masks issues surrounding the number of students who are chronically absent.

According to research, chronically absent students are more likely to fall behind academically and less likely to graduate from high school. Addressing chronic absenteeism and developing good attendance habits will take the collective effort of schools, attendance officers, families and communities.

To view key highlights from MDE's 2021-22 chronic absenteeism report concerning Simpson County School District, see the PDF below. To view MDE's full report, which includes the highest and lowest rates among schools and districts, visit mdek12.org/OPR/Reporting/​Reports.