Native American Student Absenteeism Rates Rise

Native American students face significant challenges with absenteeism, with rates at least 9% higher than the state average in half of 34 states during the 2022-2023 school year, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In North Carolina, chronic absenteeism for Native students surged to 42.71%, highlighting ongoing disparities. Schools in various states are implementing culturally responsive strategies to combat this issue, such as creating care centers and encouraging family engagement. The San Carlos Unified School District reported a chronic absenteeism rate of 76% during the last school year, prompting community efforts to improve attendance. Despite these challenges, some students, like Tommy Betom, are showing promising improvements through support from educators and caregivers. The situation underscores the need for continued focus on the unique barriers faced by Indigenous students in education.