Study: North Carolina has 5th worst decline in school attendance

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina has the fifth-worst decline in daily school attendance in the United States, according to a recent study from Techr.

The study analyzed average daily attendance for three years (2019-2021) across America’s public schools.

Looking at the results, North Carolina had an average three-year decline in attendance was 66,530.

A Techr spokesperson said the daily decline is from a combination of factors.

“Key drivers include mental health challenges, bullying, logistical barriers such as transportation issues, and a lack of motivation or relevance in academic content,” the spokesperson said. “State leaders and policymakers must adopt a multifaceted approach to reduce the decline in attendance. Strategies could include implementing early warning systems to identify at-risk students, developing individualized attendance plans that address specific barriers, and promoting supportive school environments that foster engagement.”

North Carolina’s highest average daily attendance was in 2020 with 1,463,070. The lowest was in 2021 at 1,370,216.

Below is a table of the 10 states with the worst decline in school attendance: