Government officials will explore an absentee problem that continues to plague education in the Garden State.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner and Senator Angela V. McKnight to create the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to examine the causes of persistent student absences and develop strategies to improve attendance across New Jersey’s public schools was signed into law by Acting Governor Tahesha Way.
Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing ten percent or more of the school year, has surged nationwide since the pandemic. In New Jersey, the rate peaked at 18.1 percent in the 2021–2022 school year and declined to 14.9 percent in the 2023–2024 school year. However, it remains significantly higher in urban districts hovering near or about 40 percent in districts like Trenton, Camden, and Paterson.
The 18-member task force will include education professionals, school leaders, and parent advocates appointed by the Governor, legislative leadership, and the Commissioner of Education.
Public members appointed by the Governor will include representatives recommended by the Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey and the Princeton Area Community Foundation.
The task force will study trends in chronic absenteeism, with particular attention to the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on student engagement.
“Chronic absenteeism is one of the most serious challenges facing our schools today, particularly in urban communities where students often face barriers far beyond the classroom,” says Sen. Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon).
“When students are not in school consistently, they miss critical learning opportunities and fall further behind. This law is about understanding the root causes of absenteeism and putting real, practical solutions in place so every child has the support they need to be present, engaged, and successful.”
Under the new law, the task force will compare current absenteeism rates with pre-pandemic data. It will conduct a root cause analysis of absences, examining issues such as barriers to attendance, aversion to and disengagement from school, the role of health issues and mental health, school climate, and family and financial struggles.
The task force will also review discipline policies and assess how exposure to COVID-19 has affected attendance patterns. It will identify national best practices that can be implemented statewide and develop strategies to strengthen family engagement and promote consistent school attendance.
“Attendance is more than a statistic. It reflects whether students feel connected, supported, and safe in their schools,” said Sen. McKnight (D-Hudson). “This task force will turn research into results, crafting smart policies that address real challenges and deliver real change.”
Members of the task force will serve without compensation and may request assistance from the New Jersey Department of Education. The task force will submit a final report with findings and legislative recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within one year after its organization.