Tenell Felder
January 09, 2025
The SC Education Oversight Committee (EOC) recently commissioned a focus group to examine student opinions on school attendance and chronic absenteeism.
The focus groups consisted of 26 SC public high school students (9th-12th grades) from 24 high schools.
Of the high schools represented:
- 43.5% had an SC School Report Card overall Rating of Average
- 21.7% Below Average
- 21.7% Excellent
- 13% Good
The following themes emerged as reasons for significant school absences:
- school safety issues/poor school environment
- perceived lack of consequences
- mental health
- issues with teachers (high turnover rates)
- transportation
- apathy
- health issues
EOC members requested that another study be done with parents regarding chronic absenteeism.
The EOC will use the report to inform a public awareness campaign encouraging attendance.