Indiana Chronic Absenteeism Falls for Fourth Consecutive Year
In Indiana, chronic absenteeism among students has decreased for the fourth consecutive year, with the state average now at 14.9% for the 2025-26 school year. However, high school students continue to have the highest rates of absence, with many citing…
Indianapolis, IN, October 23, 2026 —
Chronic absenteeism among Indiana students has declined for the fourth consecutive year, with the state average reported at 14.9% for the 2025-26 school year. Despite the continued decrease, high school students still have the highest rates of absence, according to the information provided.
The summary does not specify how the state defines chronic absenteeism, how many students are included in the figure or how the 14.9% rate compares with the prior school year. It also does not provide individual rates for high school students or other grade levels. The size of the year-over-year change was not provided.
Many high school students cite a perceived lack of relevance in their education, the summary says. It does not identify how many students gave that reason, explain how the information was collected or establish whether that perception caused absences. The reported concern is presented alongside the attendance trend, but no further details connect the two.
The information provided does not name a state agency or other source for the figures, describe the measures used to track attendance, or give a breakdown by school district. It also does not specify what actions, if any, schools or state officials have taken in response to absenteeism.
The reported figures indicate a continued decline in Indiana’s statewide absenteeism average alongside persistently higher absence rates among high school students. Further details—including the previous year’s rate, the state’s definition of chronic absenteeism and the scale of the reported relevance concern—were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by By Caroline Beck for WFYI on mirrorindy.org, see more information here.
