New York City schools are struggling with chronic absenteeism despite having the highest education spending in the country: $89 billion, or just over $36,000 per student. The pandemic-era lockdowns have left students faring at below pre-pandemic reading and math competency levels, with recent test scores labeling many students in the eighth and fourth grades as not proficient.
Yet, instead of addressing these issues, the city maintains policies that protect underperforming schools from consequences.
If NYC is serious about improving education, it must focus on spending resources wisely to improve student engagement rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
Former city education official Eric Nadelstern warned that poor attendance is a key predictor of dropout rates and lower academic performance. A 2023 Empire Center study found that missing just one or two days would be equivalent to 57 lost days of learning while being absent for 18 or more days can add up to years of missed education.
Nadelstern argued that the problem is that New York “rewards failure and punishes success.” This refers to the “hold harmless” policy, which ensures that schools continue receiving the same level of state and city funding even when enrollment declines, allowing them to operate without accountability for attendance drops or academic underperformance. This is a crucial part of the issue of attendance.
NYC’s chronic student absenteeism crisis is not just a reflection of post-pandemic struggles — it is a sign of a broken system that fails to hold schools accountable. Despite pouring an astronomical $89 billion into education, the city has little to show for it, with students still lagging in reading and math.
Attendance is a direct indicator of academic success, but policies like “hold harmless” ensure that schools continue receiving full funding even as enrollment declines and absenteeism soars. This creates a system where failure is subsidized and disregarded, with little incentive for schools to actively improve attendance or student outcomes.
Schools must be responsible for getting students in the classroom, and until there is accountability, billions of dollars will continue to be wasted on the failing system.
To combat chronic absenteeism, educators recommend a mix of incentives and accountability measures to keep students in school. Charter schools, like MESA Charter High School, have seen success with implementing strict tardiness policies, requiring late students to call home in front of administrators. Experts emphasize the importance of creating a school culture that values attendance, using both rewards and consequences to encourage participation.
Some schools focus on early intervention, identifying students with frequent absences and working directly with families to address barriers, like transportation or housing instability.
Additionally, citywide initiatives such as “Every Student Every Day” aim to provide support through collaborations with community organizations, shelters and social services. While these approaches have led to small improvements, long-term success will depend on schools maintaining consistent engagement and accountability.
Instead of endlessly debating funding models or policy incentives, the most effective solution is direct communication among educators, students and families.
Schools need to take a proactive approach, ensuring that attendance is prioritized not just through penalties but by making education feel engaging and worthwhile. Without clear and consistent efforts to connect with students and parents, attendance will remain an afterthought and NYC’s education system will continue to fail the students it is meant to serve.
