New Jersey Establishes Task Force to Tackle Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
A new step has been taken in the U.S. state of New Jersey to address the rapidly growing problem of chronic absenteeism in schools. The state government announced that it will establish a 17-member task force to investigate the factors preventing students from attending school regularly and to develop policy solutions. The task force was created through a law signed on December 30 by Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way and will include educators, academics, community representatives, and policymakers.
In New Jersey, chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10 percent or more of the school year. According to state data, nearly 15 percent of students fell into this category during the 2023–2024 school year. Although this represents a slight improvement compared to the previous year, the rate remains well above pre-pandemic levels.
Newark Public Schools provide an important case study for the state. The district’s chronic absenteeism rate declined from 26.8 percent in the 2018–2019 school year to 11.5 percent in 2023–2024. As of November 2025, 8.3 percent of students were recorded as chronically or severely chronically absent. The district has attempted to drive these improvements through initiatives such as the “Give Me Five” campaign, which encourages direct family outreach, as well as incentive programs offering rewards to students who improve their attendance.
The new task force will also examine disparities in absenteeism among students from low-income families, students with disabilities, English language learners, and homeless students. In addition, it will assess the role of mental health, school climate, and family engagement in influencing attendance.