BUFFALO, N.Y. — There’s a reason most younger pupils in Buffalo schools can’t read very well. They aren’t showing up for class. Only 18 percent of all students last school year had what the district considers a satisfactory attendance rate. That is, they miss school less than roughly one day a month.
More than three times as many students – 61 percent – missed school at least once every other week, according to Buffalo Public Schools attendance data. The district considers that degree of absenteeism chronic or severe.
Educators say absenteeism is taking a toll on the district’s youngest learners, who are struggling to read. Of particular concern are Hispanic and Latino students, who have the highest absenteeism rates and lowest reading scores.