On March 12, 2026, a D.C. Policy Center report was cited by Street Sense Media:
In December, 16.3% of students were absent post-pandemic, compared to 10.5% of students pre-pandemic. But for at-risk students, Black students, and students with disabilities, the study found the rise in absences was similar to other months, “indicating that their absenteeism is more consistent throughout the year and likely driven by persistent structural barriers,” the researchers wrote.
Read more: Can D.C. make sure kids have safety nets and food during bad weather?
Additional reading: Patterns and predictors of chronic absenteeism in D.C.’s middle and high schools