New Mexico schools see drop in chronic absentee rate

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Public Education Department says data from the 2023 – 2024 school year shows that chronic absenteeism has decreased 6.42% from the previous year.

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The department says since 2019, they have shifted their approach, emphasizing support instead of punishment. The chronic absenteeism rate is at 32.8% which is down from the highest reported rate of 40.73% in the 2021 – 2022 school year. “We will continue to build on this momentum to foster an environment where consistent attendance is the norm, not the exception,” Public Education Deputy Secretary Candice Castillo said in a release.

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