Definition: The percentage of students in Sarasota County who are absent for 21 or more days within the school year.

Source: Florida Department of Education

2025 Target: 5.49%

Below is a comparison of the value for this indicator among seven coastal counties: Charlotte, Sarasota, Collier ,Lee, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas. These counties have been recommended as comparable counties by Sarasota County Government.

Percent of Students Absent 21+ Days (2015-2016)

In the 2015-2016 school year, 6.8% of students in Sarasota County were absent for 21 days or more. This rate has fluctuated since 2010, with its lowest point being 5.6% of students in 2012. Currently the rate is the same as it was in 2010. The Sarasota County rate is 3.3% lower than Florida's (10.1%).

Several factors contribute to chronic absenteeism, including: school environment, income and housing stability, and race and ethnicity. Students from low income families may be more likely to be chronically absent from school for several reasons. Parents in these families do not often have control over the hours they work, and may be unable to transport their children to school. These parents may also be unfamiliar with the academic system, in particular if they are recent immigrants. Low income families are also more at risk for becoming homeless, which places significant barriers to getting to school. Additionally, low income students are more likely to attend schools that do not have the resources to provide all facets of a healthy learning environment, including the ability to reach out to parents.

Students from families of Color are more likely to experience barriers to getting to school than students from white families. Students of Color are more likely to be dealing with health disparities, and are more likely to be attending schools without as many resources for physical and emotional health. Families of Color are at a higher risk for financial struggles and housing instability, and are less likely to own a car. Students of Color are more likely than white students to be suspended or expelled from school, creating an instability in attendance that allows for unexcused absences. It is also highly likely that Students of Color experience racism at school or on the way to school, and as a result are more likely to feel scared or uncomfortable going to school.

Chronic absenteeism impacts academic achievement and attainment. In preschool and kindergarten, it can predict whether a student will be held back in 3rd grade. As early as the 6th grade, rates of chronic absenteeism can predict dropout rates. Students who are chronically absent in middle and high school are less likely to complete college. Students who are chronically absent in preschool and kindergarten are less likely to be able to read proficiently by the third grade. Chronic absenteeism continues to negatively affect academic achievement throughout a student’s academic career.