New data from the Illinois Report Card reveals that chronic absenteeism rates in McHenry County schools remain higher than pre-COVID-19 levels. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days, whether excused or unexcused. The report also highlights racial disparities in absenteeism rates, with Black and Hispanic students experiencing higher rates compared to their white peers.
Across McHenry County, chronic absenteeism rates have increased significantly since 2019. Statewide, 17.5% of students were chronically absent in 2019, whereas that figure rose to 28.3% in 2023. Racial disparities are particularly prevalent, with almost 42.1% of Black students and 34.5% of Hispanic students experiencing chronic absenteeism in 2023, compared to 21% of white students...