The Effects of Absenteeism on Academic and Social-Emotional Outcomes: Lessons for COVID-19 BY LUCRECIA SANTIBAÑEZ AND CASSANDRA GUARINO
A POLICY ANALYSIS FOR CALIFORNIA EDUCATION REPORT Many school systems were already dealing with the deep inequalities already present in their ranks when schools were forced to close in March 2020. The lack of in-person learning and now a new teaching model adversely affected an even larger group of students who were unable to fully engage in learning opportunities. As such, there has been a significant increase of absenteeism across all grades K–12. Using data from the CORE Districts in California, Professors Lucrecia Santibañez and Cassandra Guarino have researched the impact of increased absenteeism during the pandemic by analyzing how it has affected student outcomes in the recent past. Their study reveals that just a few weeks of missing school can result in lower test scores, particularly in math, have greater negative effects on middle school students, and can have detrimental effects on social- emotional development, which affects future student success. 40 UCLA Ed&IS SUMMER 2021
