Maryland’s chronic absenteeism rate fell to 22.8% for the 2025‑26 school year, down from a pandemic‑era high of 30.9% in 2021‑22, according to State Superintendent Carey M. Wright. While the four‑year decline is encouraging, school board candidates across the state warn that the problem remains far from solved.
Local leaders sound the alarm
In the Eastern Shore’s Kent County, candidate Zeke Falcon warned that missed school quickly becomes missed instruction, weaker relationships with teachers and peers, and a higher risk of disengagement. Baltimore City hopeful Kwame Jamal Kenyatta‑Bey called chronic absenteeism “one of the most serious challenges” facing the city’s public schools, emphasizing that attendance is the gateway to every other educational outcome.
Montgomery County candidate Brenda Diaz labeled absenteeism a “quiet academic crisis,” noting that “a child who is not in class cannot catch up in reading or algebra, no matter how large the budget, no matter how dedicated the teacher.”
Data shows disparities
State Department of Education figures reveal that in 2024‑25, Hispanic/Latino students (31.1%) and Black students (30.5%) were far more likely to be chronically absent than white (18.2%) and Asian students (13.1%). Economically disadvantaged students missed school at a 36% rate, well above the 25.2% statewide average.
County‑by‑county snapshots show Baltimore City at 46.4% in 2024‑25, while Frederick County recorded the lowest rate at 16.7%. The four counties with the highest absenteeism—Baltimore City, Dorchester, Somerset and Allegany—also rank among the lowest in median household income, ranging from $59,603 to $64,943.
Transportation and home stability cited as root causes
Several candidates pointed to transportation barriers. Baltimore City hopefuls Jamar Day and Domonique Flowers urged a “transportation overhaul” and suggested home visits and stronger school‑family communication. Rural candidates Shernice Mundell (Harford County) and Sharyn Yuloff (Somerset County) echoed the concern, as did Prince George’s County candidates Tyra Janet Bennett, Terence J. Clegg Sr. and Jamie McGonnigal.
McGonnigal warned that the county’s response often “threatens families or treats parents as if they are the problem,” which can punish those dealing with unreliable transportation. Candidates also highlighted housing instability and lack of basic necessities as drivers of absenteeism. Harford County’s Joseph Alton Jr. urged boards to raise parental awareness, while Charles County’s Jason Henry noted that many students lack food, clean water, electricity or high‑speed internet.
Proposed solutions from the front lines
Day advocated treating attendance as a system‑wide priority rather than a school‑by‑school afterthought. Flowers suggested focusing first on the schools with the highest absenteeism rates. Both Day and Kenyatta‑Bey called for transparent, real‑time attendance data instead of waiting for year‑end reports.
Successful local campaigns were highlighted as models. Baltimore County’s “Here For It” initiative, launched four years ago, combined targeted messaging with support services and produced a 6.3% drop in chronic absenteeism in 2024, according to candidate Lisa Mack. In Wicomico County, candidate David Plotts credited the “Arrive to Thrive” campaign for raising overall attendance from 89% to 93%.
Statewide push continues
In a September 10 announcement, Superintendent Wright unveiled “Maryland Shows Up!” – a new statewide attendance campaign mirroring successful local efforts. The program will feature monthly attendance monitoring, a practice the state began in September 2025, and aims to provide schools with timely data to intervene early.
As Maryland school board candidates prepare for upcoming elections, they agree that while the downward trend in absenteeism is a step forward, sustained effort, transparent data and community‑focused outreach are essential to keep every child in the classroom.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
