BALTIMORE — Maryland lawmakers are seeking solutions for how to keep kids in school, as thousands of students are reported absent from the classroom for significant portions of the year.

A bill sponsored by Baltimore City Democratic Del. Stephanie Smith would launch a task force to address the issue, with responsibilities including defining chronic absenteeism, identifying strategies and publishing a “tool kit” by June 20 of next year.

The Maryland State Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as a student missing at least 10% of enrolled school days. A Baltimore Sun series last year revealed that thousands of Baltimore City students are far beyond that threshold – reporting absent for a third or more of the school year.

Statewide chronic absenteeism rates shot up during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 19.5% in 2019 to 29.8% in the 2023 school year, dropping slightly in 2024, to 26.7%. Baltimore City had a far higher rate than the state average — reaching nearly 49%.

Education leaders aim to reduce the statewide chronic absenteeism rate to 15% by the 2025-2026 school year.

The task force bill is listed among the 2025 priorities for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.

The causes of chronic absenteeism often involve “deeper systemic issues,” including “lack of access of health care, bullying in schools, lack of transportation, family care responsibilities,” said Mary Gable, assistant state superintendent at MSDE. In addition, students living in poverty are up to three times more likely to be chronically absent, she said.

The negative impacts of chronic absenteeism can show up early on, she added. “Those who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are less likely to read proficiently by the end of third grade.”

Absenteeism also is “a predictor of high school dropouts” and is “more predictive of post-secondary success than student standard test scores,” Gable said.

The MSDE already has a task force in place to examine chronic absenteeism, involving superintendents, teachers, school counselors and directors of student services, Gable said. The most recent meeting took place Monday and included participation from Attendance Works, a nonprofit initiative that works on solutions to student absences.

The current task force is preparing to release a tool kit examining students on the “cusp” of chronic absenteeism, Gable said.

Del. Joseph Vogel, a Baltimore County Democrat, suggested that student representation should be included in the task force.

“It’s really an excellent recommendation,” Gable replied, noting that “we have a student in our office who was just out of high school,” who provides a student perspective.

“I think it’s a good recommendation to get out and talk more,” Gable said. “We do have to do outreach.”

Vogel, along with Republican Del. April Miller of Frederick County, is proposing a separate bill this session that would require local boards of education to establish virtual school options. This could help students who are less likely to attend school due to chronic illnesses or bullying, Miller previously told The Sun.

Aubrey Edwards-Luce, executive director of the Center for Families, Children and Courts at the University of Baltimore School of Law, is also in favor of the bill, with suggested amendments. Luce suggested the task force gather a variety of perspectives, including those of the Maryland Transit Authority, students with disabilities, and students and parents from both rural and urban communities.

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