JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released the 2024-25 Chronic Absenteeism Report.

According to the agency, Mississippi's chronic absenteeism rate rose to 27.6%, representing 120,408 students who missed important instructional time in the last school year. They said this reflects an increase from the 2023-24 rate of 24.4%.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year (equivalent to 18 days) for any reason, which includes excused and unexcused absences and suspensions. The 2024-25 report shows approximately one-third of all absences were excused.

“When students are not in school, they are missing valuable instruction from their teachers and social interaction with their peers,” said Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of e

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