Attendance Matters: How well our schools are doing – What's Up Newp

Since the pandemic, student absenteeism has skyrocketed across the country, sending education departments and school districts searching for solutions. It is a priority with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and every school district in the state. And, while results haven’t been dramatic, they are moving in the right direction.

Statewide, pre-pandemic absenteeism in Rhode Island schools was about 19 percent. It ballooned to more than 34 percent in 2021-22, dropping the following year to 28.9 percent, and in 2023-24 it was 24.7 percent. 

The same pattern is reflected in Aquidneck Island area schools. The Rhode Island Department of Education publishes a daily report on absenteeism for the more than 270 Rhode Island public schools, and certain patterns are clear. Wealthier communities have fewer absences, and it appears that greater absenteeism occurs in high and middle schools.

Newport Schools superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain says students in poorer communities face challenges of family responsibilies, housing and transportation issues. All three are recognized as significant issues nationally by Panorama Education, which says some students from “low-income families may need to stay home to care for younger siblings or work to support their families.”

Chronic absenteeism national is defined as missing 10 percent of school days, or the equivalent of about two days. The consequences, says Panorama, range from health, dropout, social and behavioral, along with a negative impact on academics.

RIDE publishes a daily attendance tracker. Here’s a look at area schools, as reported in the November 25 attendance tracker, and listed by state rankings.

• Howard Hathaway Elementary School, Portsmouth, with 412 students, ranked 25 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
• Melville Elementary School, Portsmouth, with 320 students, ranked 26 with projected chronic absences of 25 (7.8 percent), a reduction of 4.9 percent from last year.
• Jamestown Middle School, with 189 students, ranked 36 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
• Portsmouth Middle School, with 607 students, ranked 42 with projected chronic absences of 58 (9.6 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
• Aquidneck Elementary School, Middletown, with 302 students, ranked 44 with projected chronic absences of 29 (9.6 percent), a reduction of .3 percent from last year.
• Wilbur and McMahon Elementary and Middle School, Little Compton, with 219 students, ranked 68 with projected chronic absences of 23 (10.5 percent), a reduction of 1.3 percent from last year.
• Portsmouth High School, with 787 students, ranked 114 with projected chronic absences of 105 (13.3 percent), a reduction of 1.3 percent from last year.
• Fort Barton Elementary School, Tiverton, with 133, students, ranked 98 with projected chronic absences of 16 (12 percent), an increase of .9 percent from last year.
• Forest Avenue Elementary School, Middletown, with 300 students, ranked 112 with projected chronic absences of 40 (13.3 percent), a reduction of 1.6 percent from last year.
• Tiverton High School, with 424 students, ranked 140 with projected chronic absences of 60 (14,2 percent), a reduction of 1.6 percent from last year.
• Pocasset Elementary School, Tiverton with 31 students, ranked 150 with projected chronic absences of 31 (14.7 percent), a reduction of .4 percent from last year.
• Gaudet Middle School, Middletown, with 434 students, ranked 181 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), an increase of .7 percent from last year.
• Middletown High School, with 521students, ranked 209 with projected chronic absences of 107 (20.5 percent), an increase of 1.5 percent from last year.
• Claiborne Pell Elementary School, Newport, with 662 students, ranked 221, with projected chronic absences of 147 (22.2 percent), a reduction of 2.4 percent from last year.
• Frank E. Thompson Middle School, Newport, with 495 students, ranked 225 with projected chronic absences of 115 (23.2 percent), an increase of .6 percent from last year.
• Tiverton Middle School, with 500 students, ranked 234 with projected chronic absences of 119 (23.8 percent), an increase of 11.3 percent from last year.
• Rogers High School, Newport, with 600 students, ranked 246 with projected chronic absences of 183 (30.5 percent), a reduction of 5.7 percent from last year.