States Participating in the 50% Challenge
Attendance Works, EdTrust and Nat Malkus with AEI have launched the national chronic absenteeism challenge: reduce chronic absence by 50% in 5 years. We congratulate the state education leaders listed below who have committed to this challenge!
To support the challenge we’re first developing tools for states, including The 50% Challenge: Crafting a State Road Map toolkit, designed to support their work on a statewide student engagement and attendance plan tailored to their local circumstances.
Chronic absenteeism, or missing more than 10% of school days for any reason, spiked during the Covid-19 pandemic, and rates remain elevated across the nation. It is affecting schools and districts in every state and students and families in every demographic group.
Turning this around will take all of us working together. State education leaders - governors, education agencies and policy makers – are uniquely positioned to alert everyone to the size of this challenge and to ensure they have the tools and strategies to improve engagement and attendance in school.
Alabama
Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of EducationArkansas
Jacob Oliva, Commissioner of EducationColorado
Susana Córdova, Commissioner of EducationConnecticut
Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, Commissioner of EducationIowa
McKenzie Snow, Director, Iowa Department of EducationMaryland
Carey M. Wright, Superintendent of SchoolsNebraska
Brian Maher, Commissioner of EducationNevada
Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public InstructionNew Mexico
Candice Castillo, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Public Education DepartmentOhio
Stephen Dackin, Director, Ohio Department of Education and WorkforceRhode Island
Angélica Infante-Green, Commissioner of EducationVirginia
Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public InstructionWashington
Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of Public InstructionWest Virginia
Michele Blatt, Superintendent of Schools
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