Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — A recent report by the New Mexico Legislative Finanace Committee titled Student Attendance and Performance, has delivered a failing grade. It shows the number of students chronically absent, meaning they missed more than 10% of school, more than doubled from 2019-2023, outpacing the national average. The data shows in 2023, 40% of New Mexico students were chronically absent, equating to 124,000 students. Researchers have said that chronic absenteeism impacts a student’s learning and likelihood to graduate. In response to the findings, Ellen Bernstein, President of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation said she’s not surprised, and noted that fixing issues outside the classroom to improve child welfare could lead to a more lasting solution.
