Recent data shows a third of Oregon students are chronically absent

PORTLAND, Ore. — Data released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education shows 33% of Oregon students were chronically absent last year, meaning they missed at least 10% of school days.

For years, Oregon students have struggled in the classroom, and rank among the lowest in math and reading scores nationwide.

Across the country, school districts have struggled to bring kids back to school consistently after the pandemic. The more class time a child misses, the more likely there are to fall behind.

Last year, hundreds of thousands of Oregon students were chronically absent . Before the pandemic, around 80% of students regularly attended school. Last year, just 66.5% were regular attendees.

Though that's still an improvement from other years since the pandemic. The 2022-23 school